Tag Archive for PA

| December 2, 2013
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PA Threat #83: Cancel Building Tenders Or Peace Talks Finished

Abbas claims Israel didn’t really cancel the construction tenders for new homes announced several weeks ago, so they are once again threatening to end talks.

By Elad Benari

 

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) is threatening once again to pull out of the peace talks with Israel over its plans to build in Judea and Samaria.

Channel 2 News reported on Sunday that the PA is accusing Israel of not having really cancelled tenders that were issued several weeks ago for 20,000 new homes in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reprimanded Housing and Construction Minister Uri Ariel over the construction and cancelled it, but the PA is now claiming, according to Channel 2, that the announcement of the tenders appeared as “active” on the Housing Ministry’s website until at least this past Thursday. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 1, 2013
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Despite PA denial Al-Qaida-linked group claims substantial growth in West Bank

Majles Shura al-Mujahideen confirms 3 of their members were killed by Israel special forces last week, denounces the current peacemaking efforts & threatens attacks on Israel as well as Abbas’ Palestinian Authority.

By Reuters

 

An Al-Qaida-linked group has confirmed that the three militants killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces last week were its members, and said that their presence there proved that the Islamist network has taken root in the Palestinian territory.

Funeral of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.

The funeral of three Al-Qaida linked Palestinians killed by Israeli forces near Hebron, November 27, 2013 – Photo: Reuters

Al-Qaida has struggled to build up significant support in the West Bank, analysts say, and the Palestinian Authority that administers the area last week denied an Israeli report that the men were linked to the organization. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| November 29, 2013
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Germany & Britain Block PA Olive Council Bid

Unilateral action to join Int’l Olive Council blocked over arguments the act violates conditions & jeopardizes peace talks.

By Ari Yashar

 

Opposition by Germany and Britain have forced the Palestinian Authority (PA) to cancel their application to become a “member state” of the International Olive Council.

In April, as part of the peace talks with Israel, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas promised not to take unilateral action in joining international bodies.

Just recently Nabil Shaath, a senior official in the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), threatened that his organization was ready to join international organizations as the talks have failed to deliver results in the course of 5 months. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| November 20, 2013
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Palestinian journalists: Our Freedom of Speech is in danger

 

Despite promises from the PA to honor freedom of the press, dozens of Palestinian journalists protest recent arrests & detentions, as tensions regarding journalistic freedom of speech escalate

By Diana Atallah, The Media Line

Issues of press freedoms under the Palestinian Authority continued as dozens of journalists organized a demonstration outside of Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah’s office, protesting the recent detention of a colleague and calling for an investigation into similar arrests.

Illustration - Photo: Shutterstock

Illustration – Photo: Shutterstock

The day before the protest, Sami Al-Sa’i, a Tulkarem based reporter for the local Wattan news agency, was called in by Palestinian intelligence officers for an interrogation. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| August 21, 2013
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PA Erekat: The U.S. Guaranteed us Every Preconditions Will be Met

Chief PA negotiator claims: Before Abbas agreed to enter into peace talks, the U.S. guaranteed the PA, in writing, that all demanded preconditions will be met.

By Elad Benari

 

The Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed to resume peace talks with Israel without preconditions? Not according to chief negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Erekat revealed, in an interview with the Nazareth-based Arabic language A-Shams radio station on Tuesday, that the PA would not have returned to the negotiating table with Israel had it not received a letter of assurances from the United States, guaranteeing its main negotiating preconditions.

Erekat said in the interview that the U.S. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| August 1, 2013
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PA minister urges Gazans to ‘fatwa’ (revolt) against Hamas

PA Minister Habbash wrote on his Facebook account that the fatwa was the duty of Gaza Muslims to end Hamas’s control over the local Palestinians.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

A Palestinian Authority minister in Ramallah on Wednesday issued a fatwa [Islamic religious decree] obliging Palestinians to revolt against Hamas and end its control over the Gaza Strip.

PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud Habbash

PA Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud Habbash
Photo: Courtesy Palestinian Media Watch

The fatwa, issued by PA Minister for Wakf Affairs, Mahmoud Habbash, is yet another sign of mounting tensions between Fatah and Hamas in wake of the crisis in Egypt.

Fatah, the ruling faction of the PA, supports the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi, while Hamas has condemned it as a military coup against a legitimate and democratically elected leader.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| May 18, 2013
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Abbas’ P.A. crackdown on local journalists continues

Despite promises from the PA to honor freedom of the press, this past week PA security forces have again detained & interrogated journalists.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

 

Despite promises to honor freedom of the media, the Palestinian Authority is counting its crackdown on Palestinian journalists in the West Bank.

PA PoliceIn the past week, PA security forces interrogated and detained two journalists: Haroun Abu Arrah and Omar Arqoub.

Abu Arrah, hisho was born in Jenin and lives in Ramallah, was detained by the PA’s General Intelligence Security [GIS] for interrogation.

He told the SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom: “I went to the headquarters of the GIS two days after receiving a summons.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| May 9, 2013
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New Gaza Laws: If Guilty, Lashes for Drinking & Cutting Off Thieves’ Hands

Hamas is seeking stricter enforcement of Islamic law in Gaza, which includes provisions for cutting off the hands of thieves.

By David Lev

 

Hamas is lobbying for a stricter enforcement of Islamic law in Gaza – including provisions to cut off the hands of thieves, and execution of individuals who cheat on their spouses. A report in the Al-Hayat daily newspaper said that Hamas expects the new regulations to take effect in the coming months, after introduction of the legislation in the PA parliament.

Existing laws mete out the death penalty to individuals convicted of murder, spying, homosexuality, or selling land to Jews. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| May 2, 2013
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Fatah seeking closer ties with Iran

Senior Fatah members are seeking closer ties with Iran. In wake of Arab League’s peace plan, ‘peace partners’ looking for closer ties with those overtly seeking Israel’s destruction.

By Maayana Miskin

 

 

Senior Fatah member Jabril Rajoub has suggested that Fatah seek closer ties with Iran, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.

Mahmoud Abbas - Photo Reuters

Mahmoud Abbas – Photo Reuters

Rajoub made his statements in a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon. He expressed hope that with Iran’s help, Arabs would succeed in “freeing our land.”

Also present was Ashraf Dabour, the PA ambassador to Lebanon.

The three spoke about the attempts at reconciliation within the PA. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 26, 2013
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Gaza Rulers Blasts PA for Postponing Anti-Israel Resolutions

Hamas condemns PA compromise which allows the PA to postpone anti-Israel resolutions in exchange for a UNESCO ‘investigation’ on Jerusalem.

By Elad Benari

 

Gaza’s Hamas terrorist rulers condemned on Thursday a decision by the Palestinian Authority to postpone five UNESCO resolutions against Israel.

David's Citadel - IsraelandStuff-PP

David’s Citadel, Jerusalem – Photo: IsraelandStuff/PP

“This step is like a reward to the occupation for its crimes and violations,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement quoted by the Bethlehem-based Ma’an news agency.

“It is a contribution in erasing the Arabic and Islamic identity of Jerusalem, and it encourages the occupation to continue its Judaization program,” Barhoum said. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| February 19, 2013
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Aqsa Martyrs terrorists demand PA pay raises…or else.

The Aqsa Martyrs Brigade gunmen, who had been pardoned from Israeli prisons, say the NIS 1,500 that each receives from the PA is not enough & may hunger-strike until pensions are increased.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

Former members of Fatah’s armed wing, Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, demanded Sunday that the Palestinian Authority raise their salaries.
Palestinian gunmen from Al-Aqsa brigades of Fatah

Palestinian gunmen from Al-Aqsa brigades of Fatah
Photo: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

The gunmen, who had been pardoned by Israel, said that the NIS 1,500 that each one of them receives from the PA was not enough.

They threatened to launch protests in the West Bank if the PA government did not increase their salaries.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| January 13, 2013
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King Abdullah: Palestinians & Israel to Talk Next Month

In an interview, Jordan’s King Abdullah plans to host talks between Israel & the Palestinian Authority as soon as next month

By David Lev

 

Jordan’s King Abdullah expects to host talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority as soon as next month, he said in an interview Sunday. Abdullah said that a “window of opportunity” would soon open, and it was necessary to take advantage of it.

Jordan's King Abdullah II

Jordan’s King Abdullah II – AFP/File

That “window” would commence after the inauguration of Barack H. Obama as President of the U.S. for a second term. Abdullah said that Jordan was coordinating with France and other European countries to come up with fresh ideas to implement an agreement between Israel and the PA. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 31, 2012
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2013: Israel Falling off Newspaper’s Headlines

Int’l media seem to be beginning to get fed up with Abbas & his PA issues.  Syria & Iran will be taking the headlines.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

 

Major media outlets’ reviews of 2012 and predictions for big news stories in 2013 indicate that Israel finally may have to spend less time defending itself as the Palestinian Authority’s demands become old hat and pale in the shadows of events in Syria and Iran.

The Council of Foreign Relations, considered to be the most influential American think tank, predicted that the Middle East is a major issue for the Obama administration but not because of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 30, 2012
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Arab League Turns to Obama for Support

Arab League asks Obama to be “proactive on peace” after the $100 million the Arab League promised to provide the Palestinians monthly, have yet to be delivered.

By Gil Ronen

 

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi on Saturday called on US President Barack Obama to be “proactive” in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in his forthcoming term, according to AFP.

Nabil Al-Arabi

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi – Reuters

“We hope that the new American administration adopts a policy of conflict resolution rather than conflict management,” Arabi said during a visit with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr to the Ramallah headquarters of Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmud Abbas. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 6, 2012
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PA seeks UN Security Council action over E-1 settlement

Following threats to seek Int’l Criminal Court action over E-1 building plans, Palestinians seek Security Council’s assistance in stopping Israeli settlement construction.

US tells both sides to stop ‘war of words’

Elior Levy, agencies

 

The Palestinians are demanding urgent action by the UN Security Council and the international community to halt Israel’s “illegal settlement campaign.”

UN Security Council – Photo: AP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that he is determined to block the settlement building near Jerusalem with all legal and diplomatic means at his disposal.

“The settlement plans that Israel announced, especially E1, are a red line,” Abbas said, adding that “this must not happen.” Continue Reading »

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