17 dec 2015
Representatives of the International Quartet Committee are set to meet the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership in Ramallah on Thursday, in a move dubbed by observers as “an attempt to revive the peace process and stifle the flames of the ongoing anti-occupation Intifada".
According to Israel’s public broadcast, the International Quartet delegation, which arrived in the occupied Palestinian territories on Wednesday, met the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu over possible ways to boost the peace process and stop the ongoing Jerusalem Uprising.
The Quartet delegation is expected to meet the PA leadership in Ramallah, the same source added.
Experts in the Palestinian-Israeli affairs branded the move a camouflaged endeavor to prop up peace talks and rein in the anti-occupation uprising.
Two projected stopovers to be carried out by the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, in the next couple of months, also fall in line within the same attempts, observers pointed out.
For some other experts, such stopovers might rather serve as stimuli for the Jerusalem Uprising by bringing the Palestinian cause to the forefront and drawing the world closer to the inherently anti-colonialist nature of the Palestinian struggle.
According to Israel’s public broadcast, the International Quartet delegation, which arrived in the occupied Palestinian territories on Wednesday, met the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu over possible ways to boost the peace process and stop the ongoing Jerusalem Uprising.
The Quartet delegation is expected to meet the PA leadership in Ramallah, the same source added.
Experts in the Palestinian-Israeli affairs branded the move a camouflaged endeavor to prop up peace talks and rein in the anti-occupation uprising.
Two projected stopovers to be carried out by the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, in the next couple of months, also fall in line within the same attempts, observers pointed out.
For some other experts, such stopovers might rather serve as stimuli for the Jerusalem Uprising by bringing the Palestinian cause to the forefront and drawing the world closer to the inherently anti-colonialist nature of the Palestinian struggle.
Israeli police summoned on Wednesday head of the Islamic Supreme Council in occupied Jerusalem Sheikh Ikrema Sabri for investigation into alleged incitement charges.
During the investigation, Sheikh Sabri was questioned about the ongoing tensions in al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli settlers’ frequent break-ins into the Mosque are the main cause for the deteriorated situation, he replied.
Sheikh Sabri also denied Israeli charges of inciting violence during the Friday sermon at al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing, at the same time, that the holy shrine is a pure Islamic property.
During the investigation, Sheikh Sabri was questioned about the ongoing tensions in al-Aqsa Mosque and occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli settlers’ frequent break-ins into the Mosque are the main cause for the deteriorated situation, he replied.
Sheikh Sabri also denied Israeli charges of inciting violence during the Friday sermon at al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing, at the same time, that the holy shrine is a pure Islamic property.
The Israeli district planning and building committee in Occupied Jerusalem approved a plan on Wednesday to build 891 housing units on the southern side of the holy city.
Israel's channel 7 said that the new housing units would be built in Gilo settlement, southeast of Jerusalem, affirming that deliberations on the plan had been frozen ahead of the last visit of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
Deputy minister of housing Mickey Levy has blessed the decision to build these units in what he described as Israel's eternal capital and called for continuing construction activities in the city.
Israel's channel 7 said that the new housing units would be built in Gilo settlement, southeast of Jerusalem, affirming that deliberations on the plan had been frozen ahead of the last visit of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
Deputy minister of housing Mickey Levy has blessed the decision to build these units in what he described as Israel's eternal capital and called for continuing construction activities in the city.
125 Palestinians, including 25 children and six women, have been killed by Israeli bullet fire, and more than 14,740 have been injured, since October 1, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported Wednesday.
19 of the slain Palestinians, including a mother and her child, were killed in the blockaded Gaza Strip, and one in the Negev.
Among the wounded are 4,695 who were shot with live rounds and rubber-coated metal bullets. 53 Palestinians suffered fractures and bruises after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Dozens more suffered burns and heavy inhalation of tear gas.
The Ministry also stated that the occupation army killed 25 children, and injured 562 others, including 333 who were shot with live fire, and 149 shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, while 53 children suffered fractures and bruises after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers and extremist settlers.
19 of the slain Palestinians, including a mother and her child, were killed in the blockaded Gaza Strip, and one in the Negev.
Among the wounded are 4,695 who were shot with live rounds and rubber-coated metal bullets. 53 Palestinians suffered fractures and bruises after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers and settlers. Dozens more suffered burns and heavy inhalation of tear gas.
The Ministry also stated that the occupation army killed 25 children, and injured 562 others, including 333 who were shot with live fire, and 149 shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, while 53 children suffered fractures and bruises after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers and extremist settlers.
16 dec 2015
This past Tuesday, in Jakarta, Indonesia, the International Conference on the Question of Jerusalem was organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It was sponsored by the United Nations.
In a statement delivered on his behalf to the Conference, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon said that the recent Palestinian attacks on Israelis are “bred from nearly five decades of Israeli occupation.”
“It is the result of fear, humiliation, frustration and mistrust,” he said, according to the PNN. “It has been fed by the wounds of decades of bloody conflict, which will take a long time to heal. Palestinians youth in particular are tired of broken promises and they see no light at the end of the tunnel.”
Ban Ki-Moon also blamed Israel’s “settlement enterprise” for the deterioration of the current situation in the region.
In the UN statement for the Conference, Shawan Jabarin, general director of Al-Haq, says, among other points, that “since Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, it had implemented a comprehensive policy to deepen its control over the city by weakening Palestinian presence and ties there. In Jerusalem, a policy of ethnic cleansing was pushing Palestinians out of the city. Since September, the situation had erupted.”
Jabarin added that “those practices had formed the root of the current problems, he said. But, the Palestinian people would not give up. It was time for States to sever cooperation with Israel, ban settlement products and implement sanctions. Without those and other similar actions, he said, the situation would remain the same or worsen.”
In a statement delivered on his behalf to the Conference, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon said that the recent Palestinian attacks on Israelis are “bred from nearly five decades of Israeli occupation.”
“It is the result of fear, humiliation, frustration and mistrust,” he said, according to the PNN. “It has been fed by the wounds of decades of bloody conflict, which will take a long time to heal. Palestinians youth in particular are tired of broken promises and they see no light at the end of the tunnel.”
Ban Ki-Moon also blamed Israel’s “settlement enterprise” for the deterioration of the current situation in the region.
In the UN statement for the Conference, Shawan Jabarin, general director of Al-Haq, says, among other points, that “since Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, it had implemented a comprehensive policy to deepen its control over the city by weakening Palestinian presence and ties there. In Jerusalem, a policy of ethnic cleansing was pushing Palestinians out of the city. Since September, the situation had erupted.”
Jabarin added that “those practices had formed the root of the current problems, he said. But, the Palestinian people would not give up. It was time for States to sever cooperation with Israel, ban settlement products and implement sanctions. Without those and other similar actions, he said, the situation would remain the same or worsen.”
15 dec 2015
The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) started arming “ultra-orthodox Jews” following the recent wave of “attacks in Israel,” Yediot Ahranot Hebrew newspaper said Tuesday.
Palestinians know that Ultra-Orthodox Jews often do not own weapons. This explains why they are a major target for the attacks, according to the newspaper’s claims.
Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan initiated the step by easing the gun license application process for Haredim who served in the IOF and reside in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods and communities, the paper reported Tuesday.
“The initiative will provide a response to the current shortage of weapons in ultra-Orthodox population centers,” Erdan said, explaining that “civilians who are skilled at using firearms would multiply our strength in the fight" against Palestinian attacks.
“As part of this process, the Nahal Haredi Association will manage a list of ultra-Orthodox veterans of combat service who reside in Haredi clusters. The list will be transferred to the police to decide who gets a permit to carry a weapon.”
Palestinians know that Ultra-Orthodox Jews often do not own weapons. This explains why they are a major target for the attacks, according to the newspaper’s claims.
Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan initiated the step by easing the gun license application process for Haredim who served in the IOF and reside in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods and communities, the paper reported Tuesday.
“The initiative will provide a response to the current shortage of weapons in ultra-Orthodox population centers,” Erdan said, explaining that “civilians who are skilled at using firearms would multiply our strength in the fight" against Palestinian attacks.
“As part of this process, the Nahal Haredi Association will manage a list of ultra-Orthodox veterans of combat service who reside in Haredi clusters. The list will be transferred to the police to decide who gets a permit to carry a weapon.”
14 dec 2015
Hamas’s armed wing al-Qassam Brigades renewed on Monday evening its adherence to resistance option to remove occupation from Palestine.
On the eve of the 28th anniversary of Hamas's inception, spokesman for the Brigades Abu Obeida tweeted that Hamas’s inception was the start of Israeli occupation’s end.
"We will never compromise on our constants mainly the liberation of Palestine, resistance option, al-Aqsa Mosque, the right of return, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners", he added in another tweet.
"Our weapon was and will always serve as our response to occupation", Abu Obeida said.
The spokesman for the Brigades hailed the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in occupied Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and in the diaspora.
He also hailed the Palestinian resistance fighters in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem who made heroic sacrifices.
On the eve of the 28th anniversary of Hamas's inception, spokesman for the Brigades Abu Obeida tweeted that Hamas’s inception was the start of Israeli occupation’s end.
"We will never compromise on our constants mainly the liberation of Palestine, resistance option, al-Aqsa Mosque, the right of return, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners", he added in another tweet.
"Our weapon was and will always serve as our response to occupation", Abu Obeida said.
The spokesman for the Brigades hailed the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in occupied Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and in the diaspora.
He also hailed the Palestinian resistance fighters in the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem who made heroic sacrifices.
A Palestinian report said that Jerusalem Intifada succeeded in limiting Israeli settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque during Hanukkah Holiday (also known as the Festival of Lights) in comparison to last year’s festival.
367 Israeli settlers stormed the Mosque over the past week under heavily-armed police protection marking the Hanukkah festival, Quds Press documented in its report.
Israeli Jewish organizations have earlier called for escalating settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque over the past week that coincides with the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Head of Palestinian worshipers committee in al-Aqsa, Youssef Mukhmar, pointed out that Israeli authorities have allowed limited settlers’ presence in the Mosque for fear of escalating the situation that already reached a high level of tension.
For his part, media official of Waqf department in al-Aqsa, Firas Dubas, said that 500 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque during the seven-day holiday of Hanukkah last year; however, in 2015 only 381 settlers stormed the holy shrine during the Jewish holidays.
367 Israeli settlers stormed the Mosque over the past week under heavily-armed police protection marking the Hanukkah festival, Quds Press documented in its report.
Israeli Jewish organizations have earlier called for escalating settlers’ break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque over the past week that coincides with the Jewish Festival of Lights.
Head of Palestinian worshipers committee in al-Aqsa, Youssef Mukhmar, pointed out that Israeli authorities have allowed limited settlers’ presence in the Mosque for fear of escalating the situation that already reached a high level of tension.
For his part, media official of Waqf department in al-Aqsa, Firas Dubas, said that 500 Israeli settlers broke into al-Aqsa Mosque during the seven-day holiday of Hanukkah last year; however, in 2015 only 381 settlers stormed the holy shrine during the Jewish holidays.
12 dec 2015
By Daud Abdullah
Diplomatic spats between Sweden and Israel have become a regular occurrence. Ever since the Scandinavian country recognised the state of Palestine in October 2014 relations between Stockholm and Tel Aviv have gone from bad to worse. At the heart of this stand-off is Sweden’s determination to pursue an independent foreign policy without diktats from any quarters, including Israel.
The latest episode in this long-running row has come in the wake of a remark made by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström during a parliamentary meeting. Responding to an allegation that her government favours the Palestinians, Wallström said that while Israel always has the right to defend itself, its response cannot be “extrajudicial executions” or become “disproportionate”.
On the face of it this assertion may seem normal and reasonable to any fair-minded observer. However, to Israel’s Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu it is scandalous and totally unacceptable. Not surprisingly, though, his telephone call to his Swedish counterpart, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, failed to win an apology. In fact Löfven added fuel to the fire when he told a local news agency that knife attacks in Israel fail to meet the internationally accepted definition of a terror attack.
“There is an international classification regarding what constitutes or does not constitute [terror]. As far as I know, the [knife attacks in Israel] are not defined as terror,” he said.
Later that same day (Monday), Löfven further explained to the agency that it is not clear whether the knife attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem were organised by a classified terrorist organisation though “organised attacks are precisely acts of terrorism.”
Underlying the tensions is the fact that Sweden as a sovereign state wants to determine its own foreign policy, without having to grovel to, or blindly follow a given line especially when it is not based on internationally recognised standards. This, in fact, is the same approach adopted earlier this year when Foreign Minister Wallström criticised Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, notably with regard to women. After refusing to retract her statements, Saudi Arabia blocked the Swedish foreign minister from giving a speech to the Arab League in March.
In this instance, Israel is clearly disturbed for two reasons. First, that Sweden’s defiance may resonate elsewhere in Europe and encourage other countries to similarly challenge and condemn Israel’s culture of impunity in the occupied territories. Neighbouring Scandinavian countries are perhaps the most likely candidates to follow suit since they do not have the historical baggage that have deterred countries such as Germany, Britain and France from taking a strong stand against Israeli violations of international law.
Of course it is not just Israel’s apparent shoot-to-kill policy that has provoked criticism from Sweden’s foreign minister. The maltreatment of Palestinian women by the occupation forces has also been especially toxic to Wallström who promised a feminist foreign policy when she took office. She must now be appalled by this week’s jailing of the left-wing female Palestinian parliamentarian, Khalida Jarar, on trumped up charges.
Ultimately, the growing disquiet across Europe over Israel’s human rights record and alleged crimes against humanity will rest heavy on the consciences of many officials and serve as a constant reminder of their duty to bring those responsible to account. The unwillingness of the EU to back down over the question of Israel’s illegal settlements and the labelling of its produce is a clear sign that patience with Israel is wearing thin. Hence it is no wonder that Israel has moved to suspend discussion of its conflict with the Palestinians with EU officials.
Thus far, Tel Aviv’s bully tactics and intimidation seem wholly ineffective and futile. In the case of Sweden it is clearly not a banana republic that can be dictated to and pushed over by Israel. Since the 1970s Israel has meddled in the affairs of weak and unstable countries in Central and South America. In Colombia it has provided training for paramilitary forces, including the militias of narcotics cartels. That role continues today with Israeli involvement in Mexico, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. This type of interfering, diplomatically or otherwise, will not succeed in Europe.
Netanyahu’s attempts to smear Foreign Minister Wallström with claims that she did not condemn the attacks in San Bernardino, California or Paris as she did with Israeli policies in the occupied territories, are patently disingenuous. It fits, after all, with his usual methods of emotional blackmail. If Sweden can resist such tactics others in Europe surely can.
– Dr. Daud Abdullah is the director of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) in London. (This article was first published in Middle East Monitor.)
Diplomatic spats between Sweden and Israel have become a regular occurrence. Ever since the Scandinavian country recognised the state of Palestine in October 2014 relations between Stockholm and Tel Aviv have gone from bad to worse. At the heart of this stand-off is Sweden’s determination to pursue an independent foreign policy without diktats from any quarters, including Israel.
The latest episode in this long-running row has come in the wake of a remark made by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström during a parliamentary meeting. Responding to an allegation that her government favours the Palestinians, Wallström said that while Israel always has the right to defend itself, its response cannot be “extrajudicial executions” or become “disproportionate”.
On the face of it this assertion may seem normal and reasonable to any fair-minded observer. However, to Israel’s Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu it is scandalous and totally unacceptable. Not surprisingly, though, his telephone call to his Swedish counterpart, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, failed to win an apology. In fact Löfven added fuel to the fire when he told a local news agency that knife attacks in Israel fail to meet the internationally accepted definition of a terror attack.
“There is an international classification regarding what constitutes or does not constitute [terror]. As far as I know, the [knife attacks in Israel] are not defined as terror,” he said.
Later that same day (Monday), Löfven further explained to the agency that it is not clear whether the knife attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem were organised by a classified terrorist organisation though “organised attacks are precisely acts of terrorism.”
Underlying the tensions is the fact that Sweden as a sovereign state wants to determine its own foreign policy, without having to grovel to, or blindly follow a given line especially when it is not based on internationally recognised standards. This, in fact, is the same approach adopted earlier this year when Foreign Minister Wallström criticised Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, notably with regard to women. After refusing to retract her statements, Saudi Arabia blocked the Swedish foreign minister from giving a speech to the Arab League in March.
In this instance, Israel is clearly disturbed for two reasons. First, that Sweden’s defiance may resonate elsewhere in Europe and encourage other countries to similarly challenge and condemn Israel’s culture of impunity in the occupied territories. Neighbouring Scandinavian countries are perhaps the most likely candidates to follow suit since they do not have the historical baggage that have deterred countries such as Germany, Britain and France from taking a strong stand against Israeli violations of international law.
Of course it is not just Israel’s apparent shoot-to-kill policy that has provoked criticism from Sweden’s foreign minister. The maltreatment of Palestinian women by the occupation forces has also been especially toxic to Wallström who promised a feminist foreign policy when she took office. She must now be appalled by this week’s jailing of the left-wing female Palestinian parliamentarian, Khalida Jarar, on trumped up charges.
Ultimately, the growing disquiet across Europe over Israel’s human rights record and alleged crimes against humanity will rest heavy on the consciences of many officials and serve as a constant reminder of their duty to bring those responsible to account. The unwillingness of the EU to back down over the question of Israel’s illegal settlements and the labelling of its produce is a clear sign that patience with Israel is wearing thin. Hence it is no wonder that Israel has moved to suspend discussion of its conflict with the Palestinians with EU officials.
Thus far, Tel Aviv’s bully tactics and intimidation seem wholly ineffective and futile. In the case of Sweden it is clearly not a banana republic that can be dictated to and pushed over by Israel. Since the 1970s Israel has meddled in the affairs of weak and unstable countries in Central and South America. In Colombia it has provided training for paramilitary forces, including the militias of narcotics cartels. That role continues today with Israeli involvement in Mexico, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. This type of interfering, diplomatically or otherwise, will not succeed in Europe.
Netanyahu’s attempts to smear Foreign Minister Wallström with claims that she did not condemn the attacks in San Bernardino, California or Paris as she did with Israeli policies in the occupied territories, are patently disingenuous. It fits, after all, with his usual methods of emotional blackmail. If Sweden can resist such tactics others in Europe surely can.
– Dr. Daud Abdullah is the director of the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) in London. (This article was first published in Middle East Monitor.)
15-year-old from Beit Shemesh arrested after calling in several fake terror incidents, causing police and emergency services to deploy in large forces.
Officers from the Beit Shemesh police station arrested a 15-year-old boy on Friday, for allegedly making calling in several false reports of terror attacks and suspicions individuals in recent weeks. The boy claimed the calls were conducted as a practical joke.
Police received an urgent call regarding a suspected terror attack in Beit Shemesh on Thursday night. Large police forces began searching the suspected scene and found nothing. An initial investigation revealed that the person, who had called in the incident, a young man from the city, had phoned in the attack as a joke.
It was later discovered that this was not the first time he had phoned in false reports, sending officers on wild goose chases. Upon questioning he revealed that he had conducted several calls in recent weeks, all reports of suspicious persons or terror incidents. The calls caused several deployments of police and emergency personal, leading them to prioritize the unknowingly false reports over real emergency incidents.
The police have opened an investigation into the incidents in order to prosecute the young man. The Jerusalem District Police responded saying, "The police call on citizens to act responsibly and avoid prank calls of false reports. Public awareness has proved itself to be life saving in several incidents, and the police treat every call seriously.
Officers from the Beit Shemesh police station arrested a 15-year-old boy on Friday, for allegedly making calling in several false reports of terror attacks and suspicions individuals in recent weeks. The boy claimed the calls were conducted as a practical joke.
Police received an urgent call regarding a suspected terror attack in Beit Shemesh on Thursday night. Large police forces began searching the suspected scene and found nothing. An initial investigation revealed that the person, who had called in the incident, a young man from the city, had phoned in the attack as a joke.
It was later discovered that this was not the first time he had phoned in false reports, sending officers on wild goose chases. Upon questioning he revealed that he had conducted several calls in recent weeks, all reports of suspicious persons or terror incidents. The calls caused several deployments of police and emergency personal, leading them to prioritize the unknowingly false reports over real emergency incidents.
The police have opened an investigation into the incidents in order to prosecute the young man. The Jerusalem District Police responded saying, "The police call on citizens to act responsibly and avoid prank calls of false reports. Public awareness has proved itself to be life saving in several incidents, and the police treat every call seriously.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) threatened Saturday morning to impose punitive measures on the residents of Aqraba village, east of Nablus.
The PIC reporter quoted locals as saying that Israeli forces stormed the town and distributed leaflets that contained direct threats of punitive measures.
The IOF claimed that the punitive measure came after a settler's vehicle was stoned while passing near the town.
Israeli army said in the leaflets that “no terrorist attack will go without punishment.”
Israeli forces have recently escalated repressive policy and threats against the Palestinian people in a failed attempt to quell the Jerusalem Intifada.
The PIC reporter quoted locals as saying that Israeli forces stormed the town and distributed leaflets that contained direct threats of punitive measures.
The IOF claimed that the punitive measure came after a settler's vehicle was stoned while passing near the town.
Israeli army said in the leaflets that “no terrorist attack will go without punishment.”
Israeli forces have recently escalated repressive policy and threats against the Palestinian people in a failed attempt to quell the Jerusalem Intifada.
Head of Hamas's political bureau Khalid Mishaal has said that the Israelis are only passersby having no future on the land of Palestine, stressing that the growing Israeli crimes were the main reason behind the current Palestinian intifada (uprising).
Mishaal made his remarks during a lecture he delivered on Thursday at Flamingo hotel in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Hundreds of Arab and Muslim citizens living in the country flocked to the place to listen to his speech.
He affirmed that the situation in the occupied territories exploded after the Jewish settlers' violations against the Palestinians and their holy sites reached an unprecedented level.
Mishaal underlined that the huge reservoir of Palestinian anger and the accumulated suffering and injustice resulting from the occupation and settlement activities were all the spark that ignited "al-Quds intifada."
The Hamas official added that the enormity of the dangers threatening the Aqsa Mosque made the anger boil up inside the Palestinians and prompted them to join forces to defend their Islamic holy shrine.
He also talked about the Gaza Strip, which he said "has been suffering from a blockade for nine years," describing it as "the greatest popular incubator of resistance" in the Palestinian history.
At the invitation of the Malaysian ruling party (UMNO), a high-level delegation from Hamas led by Mishaal arrived in Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday on an official visit for several days.
Mishaal made his remarks during a lecture he delivered on Thursday at Flamingo hotel in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Hundreds of Arab and Muslim citizens living in the country flocked to the place to listen to his speech.
He affirmed that the situation in the occupied territories exploded after the Jewish settlers' violations against the Palestinians and their holy sites reached an unprecedented level.
Mishaal underlined that the huge reservoir of Palestinian anger and the accumulated suffering and injustice resulting from the occupation and settlement activities were all the spark that ignited "al-Quds intifada."
The Hamas official added that the enormity of the dangers threatening the Aqsa Mosque made the anger boil up inside the Palestinians and prompted them to join forces to defend their Islamic holy shrine.
He also talked about the Gaza Strip, which he said "has been suffering from a blockade for nine years," describing it as "the greatest popular incubator of resistance" in the Palestinian history.
At the invitation of the Malaysian ruling party (UMNO), a high-level delegation from Hamas led by Mishaal arrived in Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday on an official visit for several days.
Spokesman for Hamas Movement Hossam Badran hailed the sacrifices made by the Palestinian people for the sake of their freedom and dignity.
The continuation of the Jerusalem Intifada and the "escalated resistance operations across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem prove that our people are steadily marching towards liberation", he said.
He also praised the two anti-occupation operations carried out on Friday by an elderly Palestinian and a young man in al-Khalil.
On the 48th anniversary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian, Badran pointed to the group’s important role in resisting the occupation.
“The PFLP has made great efforts and sacrifices for the liberation of Palestine as it is still adherent to the resistance path.”
He concluded by hailing the Jerusalem Intifada, calling for its continuation.
The continuation of the Jerusalem Intifada and the "escalated resistance operations across the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem prove that our people are steadily marching towards liberation", he said.
He also praised the two anti-occupation operations carried out on Friday by an elderly Palestinian and a young man in al-Khalil.
On the 48th anniversary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestinian, Badran pointed to the group’s important role in resisting the occupation.
“The PFLP has made great efforts and sacrifices for the liberation of Palestine as it is still adherent to the resistance path.”
He concluded by hailing the Jerusalem Intifada, calling for its continuation.
Prisoner Ahmed Saadat, the secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), has called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to support al-Quds intifada (uprising) and stop wagering on its negotiation approach.
"The intifada constitutes a way out for the PA of the circle of its confusion, stagnation and wager on the illusions of the US-sponsored negotiations and settlement," Saadat said in a leaked letter he wrote on the 48th inception anniversary of the PFLP.
He said that the Palestinian political process needs a bold critical review to draw lessons from its past mistakes in order to effectively back the popular intifada.
The PFLP official warned of any attempt to circumvent al-Quds intifada and use it as a tactical move to return to the endless cycle of negotiation with the occupation.
He described the Palestinian people's intifada and resistance as an ongoing strategic struggle to achieve their aspiration for liberation from the occupation.
"The intifada constitutes a way out for the PA of the circle of its confusion, stagnation and wager on the illusions of the US-sponsored negotiations and settlement," Saadat said in a leaked letter he wrote on the 48th inception anniversary of the PFLP.
He said that the Palestinian political process needs a bold critical review to draw lessons from its past mistakes in order to effectively back the popular intifada.
The PFLP official warned of any attempt to circumvent al-Quds intifada and use it as a tactical move to return to the endless cycle of negotiation with the occupation.
He described the Palestinian people's intifada and resistance as an ongoing strategic struggle to achieve their aspiration for liberation from the occupation.
11 dec 2015
Dozens of Israeli fanatic settlers flocked to Jerusalem streets on Thursday night, calling for ruining Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque and establishing the alleged temple in its place.
Over 40 Israeli settlers gathered near Bab al-Khalil in Occupied Jerusalem and lifted banners calling for destroying the al-Aqsa Mosque and building the alleged temple.
The rally kicked off following calls by Israel’s Return to Temple Mount Organization to mobilize mass-support for the destruction of the al-Aqsa and to pressure the occupation government to build the "third temple".
The rally-goers headed to the al-Aqsa Mosque and lit the menorah on the fifth day of the Jewish Hanukkah (Festival of Lights).
The Israeli settlers also performed a series of provocative rituals, including dances and chants calling for "death to Arabs".
The occupation troops who escorted the marchers forced Palestinian shopkeepers to shut down their stores.
Clashes flared up, meanwhile, in Bab Hitta, in the Old City of Jerusalem, where Israeli policemen attacked the Palestinian protesters with stun grenades.
Over recent days, tension has been running high across Occupied Jerusalem after Israeli fanatics stepped up desecration break-ins at Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam.
Over 40 Israeli settlers gathered near Bab al-Khalil in Occupied Jerusalem and lifted banners calling for destroying the al-Aqsa Mosque and building the alleged temple.
The rally kicked off following calls by Israel’s Return to Temple Mount Organization to mobilize mass-support for the destruction of the al-Aqsa and to pressure the occupation government to build the "third temple".
The rally-goers headed to the al-Aqsa Mosque and lit the menorah on the fifth day of the Jewish Hanukkah (Festival of Lights).
The Israeli settlers also performed a series of provocative rituals, including dances and chants calling for "death to Arabs".
The occupation troops who escorted the marchers forced Palestinian shopkeepers to shut down their stores.
Clashes flared up, meanwhile, in Bab Hitta, in the Old City of Jerusalem, where Israeli policemen attacked the Palestinian protesters with stun grenades.
Over recent days, tension has been running high across Occupied Jerusalem after Israeli fanatics stepped up desecration break-ins at Muslims’ the holy al-Aqsa Mosque—the third holiest site in Islam.
10 dec 2015
By Carlos Latuff
Member of Israeli Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, warned of the dire consequences that could emerge should U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump decide to invade, along with Israeli officials and soldiers, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem.
Dr. Tibi said that Trump, who will be flying to Tel Aviv later this month, is planning to head to the mosque after his arrival, and warned that such a provocative act only aims at creating further tension, and violence.
“The Muslims, the Jerusalemite Palestinians, will prevent him from entering the mosque,” he said, “Every decent human being, every believer in justice and equality should prevent this racist person from invading the mosque.”
As for statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding his intentions to welcome Trump, Tibi said, “Netanyahu’s racist ideology matches that of Trump, and “it is not surprising that Netanyahu, and various racist Israeli politicians, including Knesset members, are eager to meet him.”
On his part, Netanyahu confirmed his intentions to meet Trump as scheduled on December 28, although many Israeli members of Knesset have urged him to rescind the invitation.
On its Twitter account, Netanyahu’s office said he “rejects Trump’s statements about Muslims,” but also said that Tel Aviv “is fighting terrorism that threatens the world, and targets Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.”
Member of Israeli Knesset, Dr. Ahmad Tibi, warned of the dire consequences that could emerge should U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump decide to invade, along with Israeli officials and soldiers, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem.
Dr. Tibi said that Trump, who will be flying to Tel Aviv later this month, is planning to head to the mosque after his arrival, and warned that such a provocative act only aims at creating further tension, and violence.
“The Muslims, the Jerusalemite Palestinians, will prevent him from entering the mosque,” he said, “Every decent human being, every believer in justice and equality should prevent this racist person from invading the mosque.”
As for statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding his intentions to welcome Trump, Tibi said, “Netanyahu’s racist ideology matches that of Trump, and “it is not surprising that Netanyahu, and various racist Israeli politicians, including Knesset members, are eager to meet him.”
On his part, Netanyahu confirmed his intentions to meet Trump as scheduled on December 28, although many Israeli members of Knesset have urged him to rescind the invitation.
On its Twitter account, Netanyahu’s office said he “rejects Trump’s statements about Muslims,” but also said that Tel Aviv “is fighting terrorism that threatens the world, and targets Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.”