Tag Archive for Mahmoud Abbas

| July 20, 2013
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Hamas: What Peace Talks? There’s No Negotiating with the Occupation

Hamas quickly rejects U.S. Sec of St announcement of a return to peace talks between the Abu Mazan & Israel.

By Elad Benari, Canada

 

 

The Hamas terrorist group which controls Gaza was quick to pour cold water on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s announcement that peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would resume.

“Hamas rejects Kerry’s announcement of a return to talks and considers the Palestinian Authority’s return to negotiations with the occupation to be at odds with the national consensus,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP on Friday, after Kerry announced at a press conference in Amman that negotiators from both sides will be meeting in Washington next week. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| July 18, 2013
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Another Palestinian Precondition: Abbas Demands Airport in Ramallah

Western sources leak new list of Palestinians’ conditions for renewing peace talks

in wake of Kerry-Abbas talks, which include permission to build

 airport in Ramallah, construction of hotels on the Dead Sea, more visas to work in Israel etc. etc. etc….

By Elior Levy

 

Western sources told Ynet Wednesday that in meetings with international sources on the issue of renewing peace talks with Israel, the Palestinians stipulated that they be granted approval to build an airport in Ramallah – the first in the West Bank.

Kerry, Abbas talk peace – Photo: AFP

It has been reported in the past that economic incentives would be granted to the Palestinians as part of the peace talks’ resumption, but so far the nature of said incentives has remained vague. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 6, 2013
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Kerry’s plan for restarting talks: prisoner release & settlement freeze

 

U.S. Sec of St John Kerry’s plan to restart peace talks: Israel will release 103 Palestinian terrorists from prison, freeze home construction outside major towns & a $4B transfer to the Palestinian leaders by the U.S.

The Palestinians are still not satisfied.

By Elor Levy

US Secretary of State John Kerry‘s plan to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians calls for the release of some 103 Palestinian prisoners serving time in Israeli prisons from a time prior to the signing Oslo accords, London-based Al Hayat reported, citing Western diplomatic sources.

אבו מאזן וקרי ברמאללה (צילום: רויטרס)

Kerry, Abbas – Photo: Reuters

According to a Palestinian source, the difference of opinions between the two sides remain large, as the Palestinians demand the release of all 103 together and a complete halt in settlement constriction. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| July 5, 2013
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In wake of Morsi’s fall, the PLO calls on Gazans to overthrow Hamas

The Palestinian Authority rejoices in Morsi’s fall, calling on Gazans to exploit situation and revolt against Hamas.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

Palestinian Authority leaders on Thursday expressed joy over the downfall of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s regime, with some calling on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to follow suit and topple the Hamas government.

HAMAS GUNMEN hold a poster depicting Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza City June 2012.

HAMAS GUNMEN hold a poster depicting Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza City – Photo: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

 

Meanwhile, Palestinian analysts predicted that the collapse of the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt would undermine Hamas, which in the past year has been emboldened by Morsi’s rise to power.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| July 2, 2013
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Abbas claims Israel is planning to rebuild Jewish Temple

Mahmoud Abbas again denies Jews have any history in Jerusalem, speaks of insidious Jewish plot to rebuild temple on Temple Mount

By Ryan Jones

 

Once again demonstrating his penchant for theatrics, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas last month made an impassioned call to the Arab world to stop the insidious Jewish plot to rebuilt the Jewish Temple in its historic location – Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

Abbas: Israel trying to rebuild Jewish Temple!

Abbas: Israel trying to rebuild Jewish Temple! – Israel Today

 

In an interview with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Watan daily newspaper, Abbas was asked to comment on the notion that “Jewish organizations are making frantic efforts, both visible and hidden, to complete the Judaizing of the Al-Aqsa [Mosque] and to take control of it, especially following the recurring invasions of Al-Aqsa and the attacks on worshipers.” Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| June 30, 2013
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What the White House Doesn’t Want to Know About Abbas

 

Abbas’s autocratic rule and the frustration of many Palestinians do not seem to bother Kerry. The U.S. seems to want to bring Abbas to the negotiating table with Israel at any price. Kerry seems to be seeking to cut a deal with just one person — who does not even have the backing of his people.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

 

As U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pursues his efforts to revive the peace process in the Middle East, Palestinian officials in the West Bank are complaining that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is keeping them in the dark and refusing to brief them about his plans. Continue Reading »

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| June 29, 2013
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Amman Report: 4-way peace summit to be announced

Jordanian media reports Israel capitulates to advance peace-talks by agreeing to freeze settlements, release prisoners & define borders ahead of peace talks, according to unconfirmed Palestinian sources.

By Elior Levy

Jordanian media reported that a joint Israeli, Palestinian, American and Jordanian summit will possibly be announced soon, in a move which will signal the restarting of the stalled peace process.

נתיהו וקרי, מוקדם יותר השבוע (צילום: משה מילנר, לע"מ)

Netanyahu, Kerry earlier this week – Photo: Moshe Milner, GPO

According to the reports, which cite Palestinian sources, the Americans told the Palestinian side on Friday that Israel agreed to their preconditions of settlement construction freeze, prisoners’ release and defining the borders on which basis the negotiations will be held, though these will be implemented gradually, and not all at once. Continue Reading »

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| June 12, 2013
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Abbas declares to Colombian President: Palestinians want peace

Abbas tells President Juan Manuel Santos of Columbia, Palestinians committed to peace process based on pre-1967 lines.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday reiterated the Palestinians’ commitment to the peace process with Israel on the basis of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as its capital.

PA President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos. Photo Reuters

PA President Mahmoud Abbas shakes hands with his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos.

Abbas’s statement came during a meeting in Ramallah with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

The PA’s official news agency Wafa reported that Abbas briefed his guest on the latest developments surrounding the peace process and international efforts to resume talks between the Palestinians and Israel.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| June 8, 2013
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New Palestinian PM facilitates return to days of Arafat’s corruption

Abbas replaced strong, internationally-backed PM, with little-known academic who is ill-equipped to challenge his corruption or agenda.

By Ryan Jones

 

 

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas this week appointed a new Palestinian Authority prime minister to take the place of the ousted Salam Fayyad, a respected, US-educated economist that the international community fought long and hard to keep in the position.

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah

Palestinian Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah

The new Palestinian prime minister is Rami Hamdallah, a mild-mannered academic who for the past 15 years has served as dean of al-Najah University in Nablus. Hamdallah has absolutely no political experience, so many in Israel see his appointment as a maneuver by Abbas to regain the absolute control once exercised by Yasser Arafat. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 5, 2013
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Hamas Condemns ‘Illegal’ New Abbas Appointed Government

Hamas furious at newly created PA leadership, accuses Fatah of prolonging dispute.

By Maayana Miskin

 

The Hamas government in Gaza has slammed Fatah for creating a new Palestinian Authority government.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya - Photo AFP

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya – Photo AFP

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has tasked Rami Hamdallah with serving as Prime Minister and putting together a new cabinet. Hamdallah is expected to announce his cabinet on Thursday.

Abbas’ move “proves that the Fatah leadership is willing to maintain and prolong the state of disagreement,” read a Hamas statement printed by Maan news.

Hamas sources noted that they have no objections to Hamdallah in particular. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| June 5, 2013
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For 12th time Abu Bluff threatens to dismantle Palestinian Authority

PA minister for civilian affairs says Palestinian President Abbas is giving Kerry until June 20 to revive the peace talks….or else.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
 

 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to dismantle the PA should US Secretary of State John Kerry fail to “salvage the peace process,” a senior PA official said Tuesday.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas - Photo Mark Israel Sellem

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: Mark Israel Sellem

Hussein al-Sheikh, the PA minister for civilian affairs, said that Abbas has informed Kerry that the PA’s functional role would end if current efforts to revive the peace process did not succeed.

“Israel, as an occupying force, would then have to assume full responsibility [over the Palestinian population],” Sheikh told the PA’s Voice of Palestine radio station.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| June 3, 2013
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American official: Kerry will drop peace process if Israelis & Palestinians aren’t serious

Abbas isn’t responding to American or Jordanian pressure. Abbas reiterated to Judeh that a freeze on settlement construction  AND the release of Palestinian prisoners is the way to restart negotiations.

By

 

 

 

 

 

If U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry determines that Israelis and Palestinians are not serious about the peace process, he will abandon his efforts on the matter, a senior U.S. official told Reuters.

John Kerry (C) with President Shimon Peres (L) and President Mahmoud Abbas.


John Kerry (C) with President Shimon Peres (L) and President Mahmoud Abbas at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa on May, 26. – Photo: Reuters

 

In an article by Arshad Mohammed, the Reuters journalist responsible for covering the State Department in Washington, the reporter cited those who called Kerry a “Lone Ranger” condemning the Middle East peace process, and that many involved call Kerry “naive.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , , ,
| June 3, 2013
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Making Hamdallah Palestinian Prime Minister puts $Billions into Abbas’ pockets

 

 

As long as Fayyad was prime minister, it was almost impossible for Abbas and Fatah to lay their hands on the hundreds of millions of dollars of international aid. Unlike Fayyad, Hamdallah will serve as the obedient and faithful servant of Abbas, as well as the Fatah and PLO leadership. On the political arena, the appointment will have no impact whatsoever.

By Khaled Abu Toameh

 

 

The appointment of Palestinian academic Rami Hamdallah as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister is a big victory for Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah faction.

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah Photo from YouTube Screenshot

Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah – Photo from YouTube Screenshot

 

Hamdallah, who had served as president of An-Najah University since 1998, has been chosen by Abbas to replace Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who decided to quit in April following years of tensions and disagreements with the Palestinian Authority president and Fatah. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| June 2, 2013
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Abbas dictates pre-conditions to Netanyahu: Free more terrorists, then we’ll talk

PA leader once again demands the release of terrorists who have murdered Jews as a precondition to ‘peace’ talks

By Tommy Mueller

 

 

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has called for the release of 120 more Palestinian terrorists jailed by Israel as a precondition for resuming peace talks. Washington is reportedly urging Israel to seriously consider the demand.

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas - Photo Mark Israel Sellem

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas – Photo Mark Israel Sellem

But, Israelis are likely to have a real problem with this. Among the 120 detainees Abbas wants freed are many who have directly murdered Israeli Jewish men, women and children. Relatives of the victims have warned that these murderers, like the many released before them, will return to violence if set free. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 31, 2013
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Greek minister: Our countries have known each other for thousands of years

Peres & Abbas met separately with FM Dimitris Avramopoulos. While Shimon Peres focused on economic stability, the PA president said he looks towards the peace talks.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, GREER FAY CASHMAN

 

 

 

Both Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres met separately on Thursday with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos, although the focus of the meetings seemed worlds apart.

Mahmoud Abbas meets Greece's Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos in Ramallah May 30, 2013. Photo REUTERS,Mohamad Torokman

Mahmoud Abbas meets Greece’s Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos in Ramallah May 30, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman

Abbas received Avramopoulos at his presidential headquarters in Ramallah on Thursday, where they debated over the peace process, official PA news agency WAFA reported.

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