Tag Archive for Palestinians

| October 25, 2012
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UN official calls for boycott of firms linked to Israeli settlements

A UN rapporteur on human rights alleges that companies dealing with settlers are in violation of int’l human rights laws.

 

By and Reuters

 

A U.N. investigator on Palestinian human rights urged a boycott of companies tied to Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian Territories on Thursday, but the United States criticized the call as “irresponsible and unacceptable.”

IDF soldiers in a West Bank settlement

IDF soldiers in a West Bank settlement – Photo by Emil Salman

Richard Falk, the independent special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territories, said the companies – which include Hewlett Packard, Motorola, Volvo and Caterpillar – should be boycotted until they adhered to international rights standards and practices. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| October 17, 2012
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Qatar funds major reconstruction project to rebuild Gaza

A $254 million plan, due to begin within 3 months, is the largest injection of reconstruction aid to Gaza since parts of it were left in ruins after Operation Cast Lead.

By Reuters

 

Qatar on Tuesday launched a $254 million plan to rebuild and modernize Gaza, the biggest injection of reconstruction aid for the Palestinian enclave since parts of it were devastated in Operation Cast Lead nearly four years ago.

doha

A view of Doha, Qatar. – Photo by Wikipedia

Projects announced at a news conference by Qatari ambassador Mohammed Al-Amadi will require the cooperation of Israel and Egypt to admit building materials and heavy machinery to Gaza,  which is under a partial blockade. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| October 16, 2012
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Abbas: UN recognition would foster peace with Israel

U.S. envoy to UN, Rice says Palestinian status bid jeopardizes peace process.

Abbas’ letter to Obama, says Palestinians ready to resume Israel talks if UN bid succeesful

By Reuters and

 

 

The Palestinians fended off on Tuesday U.S. criticism of their bid for upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday, saying he is ready to resume talks with Israel if he succeeds in obtaining UN recognition for the Palestinians.

Abbas and Obama

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, and U.S.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 16, 2012
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Electrocuted Palestinian Boy Taken to Settlers For Treatment

Parents of the severely injured child, go to Neve Tzuf, where Jewish medics stabilize 6 yr-old until ambulance evacuates him to Israeli hospital

Itamar Fleishman

 

A six-year-old Palestinian who was electrocuted was treated by Jews from Neve Tzuf on Monday after his parents, seeking medical attention, brought him to the settlement’s gate.

Palestinian boy evacuated from Neve Tzuf Photo courtesy of Neve Tzuf security chief

Palestinian boy evacuated from Neve Tzuf – Photo courtesy of Neve Tzuf security chief

The child, who sustained severe injuries, was treated by a medic who resides in the West Bank settlement. He was later evacuated to the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for further treatment.

Neve Tzuf, which is located in the Binyamin Regional Council, has been at the center of tensions between local Jews and Arabs. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 13, 2012
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Egypt grants citizenship to 50,000 Palestinians

 

Egyptian newspaper El-Watan reports Interior Ministry instructed to give citizenship to all Palestinians with Egyptian mothers.

 

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

Some 50,000 Palestinians, most of them from the Gaza Strip, have been granted Egyptian citizenship over the past few months, an Egyptian security official revealed Thursday.

Palestinians returning from Egypt cross into Gaza

Palestinians returning from Egypt cross into Gaza – Photo: REUTERS

The official said that the Egyptian Interior Ministry had been instructed to give Egyptian citizenship to all Palestinians who were born to Egyptian mothers.

The official, who was not identified, told the Egyptian newspaper El-Watan that the instructions came from the country’s High Administrative Court in Cairo last May.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| October 10, 2012
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Abbas suggests to Israel peace talks resumption after UN vote on ‘nonmember state’ status

If Abbas receives UN recognition of a Palestinian state that includes all of the West Bank, PA officials believes a settlement freeze would no longer be a condition for negotiations

 

The Palestinian president appears to be backing away from his longstanding demand for Israel to halt West Bank settlement construction before peace talks resume.

PA President Abbas with the Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, shake hands with Jordanian Prime Minister Fayez Al Tarawneh during their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, October 4, 2012. – Photo by AP

Mahmoud Abbas told European diplomats Tuesday that he will resume talks after the UN votes on a Palestinian request for “nonmember state” status. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 9, 2012
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Fatah Leadership: Palestinians haven’t abandoned armed struggle

Mahmoud Aloul, a Member of Fatah Central Committee says “no one has dropped armed resistance from his dictionary,” & points out Fatah political program has reaffirmed ‘resistance is legitimate right against Israeli occupation.’

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

The Palestinians have not abandoned the option of armed struggle against Israel, a top Fatah official in the West Bank said on Monday.

Palestinians wearing Hamas, Fatah masks

Palestinians wearing Hamas, Fatah masks – Photo: REUTERS/Ismail Zaydah

Mahmoud Aloul, a member of the Fatah central committee and former Palestinian Authority governor of Nablus, said that although the Palestinians have agreed to launch a “popular resistance against occupation, no one has dropped the armed resistance from his dictionary.”

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| October 8, 2012
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IDF response to Hamas rocket fire & hits Gaza targets

The IDF retaliated to a barrage of rockets on southern Israel by Palestinian terrorists.

Palestinians claim 16 civilians injured by IDF strikes since Sunday.

 

The Israel Defense Forces struck a number of sites in the Gaza Strip on Monday, including one located in a mosque, in response to continued rocket and mortar fire by Hamas and Islamic Jihad toward southern Israel throughout the morning.

Maj. Gen. Tal Russo and Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin.


GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Tal Russo with Eshkol Regional Council head Haim Yalin, October 8, 2012. – Photo by Eliyahu Hershkovitz

In a statement released Monday, the IDF spokesperson said that the IDF hit “a number of terror cells and targets of the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in response to the rockets fired this morning toward territory of the state of Israel.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| October 3, 2012
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Human Rights Watch: Hamas Abusing Citizens in Gaza

Int’l human rights group releases detailed report detailing severe abuses such as unfair trials, torture of their detainees & arrests without warrants.

Human Rights Watch released a report Wednesday which revealed that Hamas’ security forces in Gaza are committing severe abuses, including torture of detainees, arrests without warrants, forced confessions, unfair trials and mock executions.

Palestinian prisoner at Hamas prison in Gaza - AP - 2007


In this July 9, 2007 file photo, a Palestinian prisoner is seen at the Hamas-controlled Saraya prison in Gaza City. – Photo by AP

The leading international rights group released a 43-page report on Wednesday and called on the militant Hamas group to reform its various security forces. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| September 30, 2012
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Both Egypt & Turkey pledge support for Palestinian cause & denounce Syrian regime

Erdogan says Turkey determined to speak out against Israel’s ‘state terrorism’ and Egypt’s new president & Turkish PM call on China, Russia & Iran to stop backing Assad regime.

Turkey and Egypt sought to boost their alliance in a turbulent region on Sunday, unleashing harsh criticism of the Syrian regime and pledging joint support for the Palestinian cause.

Erdogan and Morsi in Ankara - AP - Sept. 30, 2012

In this photo provided by Turkish Prime Minister’s Press Service,Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi in Ankara, Sept. 30, 2012. – Photo by AP

Egypt’s new president, Mohammed Morsi, addressed a major congress of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, amid signs that a partnership between their two countries is emerging, and said they both plan to stand by Palestinians and the Syrian people. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| September 27, 2012
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Jerusalem not Listed as Israel’s Capital, According to Map of Apple’s new iOS6 System

According to report in The Algemeiner, Apple’s operating system lists Jerusalem without an affiliated country.

By JTA and Haaretz

 

The map included in Apple’s new iOS6 operating system reportedly does not show Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Every other country on the map has its capital listed, The Algemeiner reported Tuesday.

Jerusalem Old City

The Old City as it appears today. – Photo by Michal Fattal

In addition, the world clock included in the operating system lists Jerusalem without an affiliated country — the only city to be included that way, the paper said.

Apple did not respond to JTA requests for comment. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| September 19, 2012
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Palestinians denounce Romney for saying the PA isn’t interested in peace

Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesman & Saeb Erekat condemn remarks by Mitt Romney, who briefed donors that the Palestinians are ‘committed to the destruction of Israel.’

By The Associated Press and Reuters
Daniel Bar-On

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat last year. – Photo by Daniel Bar-On

The Palestinian Authority has denounced remarks by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who told donors that Palestinians “have no interest” in peace with Israel.

According to comments captured on newly released video of his private remarks to wealthy donors, Romney said Palestinians are “committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel” and that the prospects for a two-state solution to Mideast peace were dim. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| August 30, 2012
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IDF levels Palestinian structures in West Bank communities

According to UN data, Israel razed 120 houses of the 400 Palestinian structures in the West Bank’s Area C this year

 

Israel yesterday destroyed five cisterns and several tents, sheepfolds and storage sites in four Palestinian communities in the West Bank. During the process, the contents of several feed sacks were spilled and damaged.

Palestinian children playing in the village of Susya, south of Hebron.

Palestinian children playing in the village of Susya, south of Hebron. Photo by Alex Levac

Altogether, according to UN data, Israel razed some 400 Palestinian structures in the West Bank’s Area C between the start of the year and mid-August, including 120 houses; more than 600 Palestinians were hurt by these demolitions. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| August 26, 2012
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Abbas responds to Lieberman letter accusing Israel’s gov’t is destroying any chance for peace

Remarks by PA President during meeting with Israeli MKs comes after Lieberman suggestion to the Quartet’s foreign ministers, in which he called to replace Abbas as Palestinian chief.

By Barak Ravid

 

For the first time, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas responded on Sunday to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s letter to the Quartet’s foreign ministers calling for general elections to replace him. The Quartet, made up of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, is involved in mediating the Middle East peace process.

Mahmoud Abbas - Reuters - 5.8.2012

Mahmoud Abbas speaking to the media during a press event in the West Bank city of Ramallah August 5, 2012.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| August 22, 2012
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Lieberman writes letter to world leaders: Call new elections to oust Abbas’ despotic gov’t

Lieberman calls PA a ‘despotic government riddled with corruption’ in his letter sent to the foreign ministers of the Middle East Quartet.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has sent a letter to the foreign ministers of the Middle East Quartet members, calling on them to press for new elections in the Palestinian Authority to replace PA President Mahmoud Abbas, whom Lieberman described as an obstacle to peace.

Tomer Appelbaum

Avigdor Lieberman – Photo by Tomer Appelbaum

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Haaretz, is dated August 20 and was sent to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
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