29 jan 2020 Page 1
From Middle East Eye: As Donald Trump hailed his so-called “deal of the century” as a historic opportunity to achieve peace between Palestinians and Israel, Democratic members of congress poured scorn on the plan that has been rejected by Palestinians.
The proposal, which was drafted without the input of any Palestinian groups, allows Israel to keep all of its settlements in the West Bank and annex large parts of the Palestinian territories that it currently occupies.
While Trump has floated his proposal as a “realistic two-state solution”, the plan itself says a Palestinian state – if it materialises – will be demilitarised and without sovereignty over its air space and territorial waters.
In a wave of criticism, many members of Congress denounced the plan as a unilateral attempt to end the chances of real Palestinian statehood.
‘This political stunt gets us no closer to peace or justice’
– Rashida Tlaib
Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president, said Washington must ensure a just agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Any acceptable peace deal must be consistent with international law and multiple UN resolutions,” Sanders said.
“It must end the Israeli occupation and enable Palestinian self-determination in an independent state of their own alongside a secure Israel. Trump’s so-called ‘peace deal’ doesn’t come close, and will only perpetuate the conflict. It is unacceptable.”
Sanders’ fellow presidential candidate, progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren was also quick to denounce the proposed deal.
“Trump’s ‘peace plan’ is a rubber stamp for annexation and offers no chance for a real Palestinian state,” she said.
“Releasing a plan without negotiating with Palestinians isn’t diplomacy, it’s a sham. I will oppose unilateral annexation in any form – and reverse any policy that supports it.”
‘Non-starter’
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a prominent Democrat, called the scheme an “anti-peace” plan.
“This one-sided proposal is a cynical maneuver calculated to be rejected by the Palestinians and then green-light illegal annexation,” Van Hollen wrote in a series of tweets.
“It undermines decades of bipartisan US policy and international law. Far from the ‘deal of the century’ this is the ‘disaster of the decade’.”
Chris Murphy, a Senate Democrat and a vocal critic of Trump’s foreign policy, also slammed the deal, saying that it compromises the long term security of both the US and Israel.
“The unilateral annexation of the Jordan River valley and existing settlements, deemed illegal under US and international law, will set back the peace process decades,” he said. “And it risks real violence and massive destabilization inside places like Jordan.”
Several Democrats in the House of Representatives also rejected the so-called “deal of the century”.
Mark Pocan, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the plan was a “massive step backwards”. NYT, tweet
Pramila Jaypal, the other co-chair of the progressive caucus, rejected labelling the proposal as a peace plan.
“It is absurd to call Trump’s plan a ‘peace plan’ when Palestinian voices were barred from the discussion,” she said.
“Today’s announcement is further evidence of President Trump’s desire to support Netanyahu’s racist policies over basic human rights for Palestinians.”
For her part, Representative Ilhan Omar said the proposal was “shameful and disingenuous”.
“This is not a peace plan,” she wrote on Twitter. “It is theft. It is erasure.”
Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib noted that the deal was released on the day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was formally indicted on corruption charges.
“This political stunt gets us no closer to peace or justice,” Tlaib said. “As a member of Congress, I consider it a non-starter.”
Congressman Andy Levin, a Michigan Democrat, challenged Trump’s assertion that the proposal will lead to a two-state solution.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who represents a large Arab-American community around Detroit, said the plan “aggravates issues in the region” and fails to ensure a viable state for Palestinians.
“This proposal holds the potential to further the conflict and occupation and is not an earnest attempt at peace in the region,” Dingell said in a statement.
REVEALED: Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ map for a future Palestine, Israel Read More »
The proposal, which was drafted without the input of any Palestinian groups, allows Israel to keep all of its settlements in the West Bank and annex large parts of the Palestinian territories that it currently occupies.
While Trump has floated his proposal as a “realistic two-state solution”, the plan itself says a Palestinian state – if it materialises – will be demilitarised and without sovereignty over its air space and territorial waters.
In a wave of criticism, many members of Congress denounced the plan as a unilateral attempt to end the chances of real Palestinian statehood.
‘This political stunt gets us no closer to peace or justice’
– Rashida Tlaib
Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president, said Washington must ensure a just agreement between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Any acceptable peace deal must be consistent with international law and multiple UN resolutions,” Sanders said.
“It must end the Israeli occupation and enable Palestinian self-determination in an independent state of their own alongside a secure Israel. Trump’s so-called ‘peace deal’ doesn’t come close, and will only perpetuate the conflict. It is unacceptable.”
Sanders’ fellow presidential candidate, progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren was also quick to denounce the proposed deal.
“Trump’s ‘peace plan’ is a rubber stamp for annexation and offers no chance for a real Palestinian state,” she said.
“Releasing a plan without negotiating with Palestinians isn’t diplomacy, it’s a sham. I will oppose unilateral annexation in any form – and reverse any policy that supports it.”
‘Non-starter’
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a prominent Democrat, called the scheme an “anti-peace” plan.
“This one-sided proposal is a cynical maneuver calculated to be rejected by the Palestinians and then green-light illegal annexation,” Van Hollen wrote in a series of tweets.
“It undermines decades of bipartisan US policy and international law. Far from the ‘deal of the century’ this is the ‘disaster of the decade’.”
Chris Murphy, a Senate Democrat and a vocal critic of Trump’s foreign policy, also slammed the deal, saying that it compromises the long term security of both the US and Israel.
“The unilateral annexation of the Jordan River valley and existing settlements, deemed illegal under US and international law, will set back the peace process decades,” he said. “And it risks real violence and massive destabilization inside places like Jordan.”
Several Democrats in the House of Representatives also rejected the so-called “deal of the century”.
Mark Pocan, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the plan was a “massive step backwards”. NYT, tweet
Pramila Jaypal, the other co-chair of the progressive caucus, rejected labelling the proposal as a peace plan.
“It is absurd to call Trump’s plan a ‘peace plan’ when Palestinian voices were barred from the discussion,” she said.
“Today’s announcement is further evidence of President Trump’s desire to support Netanyahu’s racist policies over basic human rights for Palestinians.”
For her part, Representative Ilhan Omar said the proposal was “shameful and disingenuous”.
“This is not a peace plan,” she wrote on Twitter. “It is theft. It is erasure.”
Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib noted that the deal was released on the day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was formally indicted on corruption charges.
“This political stunt gets us no closer to peace or justice,” Tlaib said. “As a member of Congress, I consider it a non-starter.”
Congressman Andy Levin, a Michigan Democrat, challenged Trump’s assertion that the proposal will lead to a two-state solution.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who represents a large Arab-American community around Detroit, said the plan “aggravates issues in the region” and fails to ensure a viable state for Palestinians.
“This proposal holds the potential to further the conflict and occupation and is not an earnest attempt at peace in the region,” Dingell said in a statement.
REVEALED: Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ map for a future Palestine, Israel Read More »
28 jan 2020
Dozens of Palestinian citizens were injured on Tuesday by Israeli bullets and bombs when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacked a demonstration denouncing the "deal of the century" north of the Gaza Strip.
Local sources said that masses of Palestinians marched near Beit Hanoun crossing north of the Gaza Strip in rejection of the "deal of the century".
A Palestinian young man was wounded by a live bullet and dozens others suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas, according to medical sources.
Local sources said that masses of Palestinians marched near Beit Hanoun crossing north of the Gaza Strip in rejection of the "deal of the century".
A Palestinian young man was wounded by a live bullet and dozens others suffered breathing difficulties as a result of inhaling tear gas, according to medical sources.
27 jan 2020
On Monday, the Commission of the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege in Gaza, called for Palestinians to participate in national events rejecting the “Deal of the Century”, Shehab News Agency reported.
In a press statement, the commission encouraged all Palestinians to unite in total rejection of the so called “deal of the century“, set to be announced, on Tuesday, by US President, Donald Trump.
The statement further stated that the American plot will not succeed if there is a strong and unified national resistance, engaging local and international media outlets to intensify coverage of the events.
The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, requested an urgent meeting with the “Fatah” movement and other factions, in Cairo, for a unified response to the so-called “deal of the century”.
The revelation of the Trump “peace plan” coincides with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
In a press statement, the commission encouraged all Palestinians to unite in total rejection of the so called “deal of the century“, set to be announced, on Tuesday, by US President, Donald Trump.
The statement further stated that the American plot will not succeed if there is a strong and unified national resistance, engaging local and international media outlets to intensify coverage of the events.
The head of the political bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, requested an urgent meeting with the “Fatah” movement and other factions, in Cairo, for a unified response to the so-called “deal of the century”.
The revelation of the Trump “peace plan” coincides with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US.
20 jan 2020
Amer Manar Hajjar, 30
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip has reported that a young Palestinian man died, on Sunday evening, from serious wounds he suffered, on March 30th, 2018, after Israeli soldiers shot him with live fire.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian has been identified as Amer Manar Hajjar, 30, from the Saftawi area, north of Gaza city.
Hajjar was participating in the Great Return March processions in the besieged coastal region when the soldiers shot and seriously injured him.
On the day of his injury, the soldiers killed seventeen Palestinians, and wounded more than 1416 Palestinians, including 758 who were shot by live ammunition, and 148 by rubber-coated steel bullets.
At least twenty of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening injuries, especially since the soldiers used exploding bullets.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip has reported that a young Palestinian man died, on Sunday evening, from serious wounds he suffered, on March 30th, 2018, after Israeli soldiers shot him with live fire.
The Health Ministry said the Palestinian has been identified as Amer Manar Hajjar, 30, from the Saftawi area, north of Gaza city.
Hajjar was participating in the Great Return March processions in the besieged coastal region when the soldiers shot and seriously injured him.
On the day of his injury, the soldiers killed seventeen Palestinians, and wounded more than 1416 Palestinians, including 758 who were shot by live ammunition, and 148 by rubber-coated steel bullets.
At least twenty of the wounded Palestinians suffered life-threatening injuries, especially since the soldiers used exploding bullets.
12 jan 2020
Members of the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet are said to be “profoundly concerned” that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue secret arrest warrants for Israeli officials it considers suspects, as it will launch a war crimes investigation against Israel within the next 90 days.
Last month, ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced that her office “has concluded with the determination that all the statutory criteria under the Rome statute for the opening of an investigation have been met.”
As Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that lends the ICC its power, Israelis claim Bensouda has no jurisdiction over the matter.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority joined the Rome Statute in 2015.
IF the ICC does issue such warrants, high-ranking Israeli officials and army officers may be arrested upon traveling abroad and extradited to The HagueInternational Criminal Court Prepares to Try Israelis over War Crimes, PNN reports.
Last month, ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced that her office “has concluded with the determination that all the statutory criteria under the Rome statute for the opening of an investigation have been met.”
As Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that lends the ICC its power, Israelis claim Bensouda has no jurisdiction over the matter.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority joined the Rome Statute in 2015.
IF the ICC does issue such warrants, high-ranking Israeli officials and army officers may be arrested upon traveling abroad and extradited to The HagueInternational Criminal Court Prepares to Try Israelis over War Crimes, PNN reports.
11 jan 2020
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Shawan Jabarin of the Al-Haq human rights organization discusses the International Criminal Court decision to prepare a lawsuit against the state of Israel regarding war crimes committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israeli authorities are already panicking. |
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