BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday sent an envoy to Iran in an attempt to improve bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic.
Tag Archives: PLO
Palestinian Foreign Minister Delivers Evidence Against Israel To ICC
THE HAGUE (AFP) — The Palestinian Authority on Thursday presented the first batch of evidence to the International Criminal Court in support of its campaign to have Israel investigated for alleged war crimes.”The state of Palestine has pledged to cooperate with the court including by providing it with relevant information and it is fulfilling its pledge today,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told journalists after leaving the court.”The information provided by the state of Palestine make a compelling case for the prompt opening of an investigation,” Malki added.ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in January launched a preliminary probe to see whether there was enough evidence for a full-blown war crimes investigation into last year’s conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.The documents handed over on Thursday consist of two files: one about alleged Israeli crimes committed in Gaza during the 50-day war in July and August last year that killed over 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 73 Israelis, mostly soldiers.The other file deals with Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including “information about the issue of Palestinian prisoners,” the Palestinian mission in The Hague said. “Achieving justice is essential for the Palestinian victims, dead and alive,” said Malki. “Palestine has chosen to seek justice not vengeance, this is why we are here today.”

The move is part of an increased focus on diplomatic maneuvering by the Palestinian leadership, who has grown frustrated with consecutive failures to end the nearly fifty-year Israeli occupation and creating their own independent state.Bensouda warned in May that both sides could face war crimes charges in the case, which has been vehemently opposed by Israel. Israel is not a signatory of the statute that established the court. Palestine ratified the ICC’s statutes in January.The PA’s submission of evidence comes three days after the UN Commission of Inquiry announced it had gathered “credible allegations” that both sides had committed war crimes during the conflict, which killed more than 2,140 Palestinians, most of them civilians, and 73 people on the Israeli side, mostly soldiers.
Headlines From Palestine: June 20, 2015
Alarming Accounts Of Human Rights Violations Of Palestinians Living Under Occupation – UN expert
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Makarim Wibisono, on Friday expressed deep concern about the human rights situation of Palestinians living under the 48-year-long Israeli occupation.
Brazil Arrests Israeli Terrorist Wanted For Murder Of Palestinian
Brazil police announced Thursday that, in coordination with Interpol, they had arrested a Jewish Israeli settler in connection with the murder of a Palestinian in 2004.
Israeli Occupation Forces Arrest Two Palestinians In Hebron
Israeli forces Saturday arrested two Palestinians, including a minor, from the district of Hebron in the southern West Bank, according to security sources.
Palestine TV Chairman To Appeal Israeli Occupation Decision To Shut Down New Channel
Chairman of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation’s Board of Trustees Riyad Al-Hassan stated Thursday that he would appeal the Israeli decision to shut a new Arab TV Satellite Channel specifically targeting the Palestinian audience in Israel.
PLO Should Retract Recognition Until Israel Reciprocates
The PLO’s chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, on Thursday issued a 56-page report on Palestinian-Israeli relations, calling for a comprehensive review of the current status quo.
PLO Should Retract Recognition Until Israel Reciprocates
JERICHO (Ma’an) — The PLO’s chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, on Thursday issued a 56-page report on Palestinian-Israeli relations, calling for a comprehensive review of the current status quo.
Headlines From Palestine: May 27, 2015
Israeli Occupation Jet Fighters Launch Series Of Airstrikes Across Gaza
Israeli jet fighters launched a series of airstrikes last night across the Gaza Strip,
Israeli Occupation Arrests 12 Palestinians in West Bank
Israeli authorities on Wednesday arrested at least 11 Palestinians, mostly during predawn raids in the West Bank districts of Nablus, Jenin and Hebron, in addition to a youth in Jerusalem, according to local sources.
3 Palestinian Children Shot In The Eye In 7 Months By Israeli Occupation Forces
The 10-year-old child, Yahia Al-Amoodi, on Wednesday was the third child during the last 7 months to be shot in the eye by Israeli black-tipped sponge bullets, which are used against Jerusalemite civilians regularly.
Israeli Occupation Forces Demolish Palestinian Home in Jerusalem
The Israeli authorities on Wednesday demolished a Palestinian-owned house in the neighborhood of Silwan, in East Jerusalem, under the pretext of construction without a permit, according to local sources.
Israeli Occupation Army Closes Entrances Of 2 Palestinian Towns Refusing Entry/Exit Holding Them Captive
Israeli army on Wednesday blocked off the main entrances of two Palestinian towns to the east of Nablus, preventing residents’ movements in and out of the towns, according to local sources.
Israeli Occupation Forces Chase, Shoot And Injure 4 Palestinians In West Bank
Four Palestinian workers Tuesday were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets in an Israeli army chase near the village of Azzun Atma, near Qalqilya, according to security sources.
Headlines From Palestine: May 26, 2015
PLO Rejects Netanyahu’s Proposal to Discuss Settlement Borders
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Tuesday slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to discuss the borders of settlement blocs as an attempt to legitimize illegal settlement construction and expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
Israeli Occupation Forces Order Demolition of Palestinian Water Reservoir And Home in Hebron
Israeli forces handed Tuesday two local residents of al-Kom locality and Idhna town to the southwest and west of Hebron respectively orders to demolish their properties, said local municipal sources.
Israeli Occupation Refusing To Repair Disconnected Gaza Electricity Grid- And We Are In A Heat Wave
Gaza’s electricity distributor has accused Israel of refusing to repair a 12 megawatt grid supplying power to Gaza City that became disconnected in Israeli-controlled territory on Thursday.
Israeli Occupation Forces Detain 20 Palestinians, Mostly Youth, In Occupied East Jerusalem
Israeli forces have detained more than 20 Palestinians, most of them teenagers, from occupied East Jerusalem since Monday morning, a prisoner’s society said.
Israeli Occupation To Confiscate 820 Dunums Of Palestinian Land For Illegal Settlement Dumping Ground
Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday decided to confiscate around 820 Dunams (202 acres) of privately owned Palestinian lands to establish new dumping grounds for its illegal colonies, in the central West Bank, in the Ramallah district, IMEMC said.
Demonstration Planned To Protest Israeli Occupation Discrimination Of Christian Schools
On Wednesday, the 27th of May 2015, at 11:00 AM, an unprecedented demonstration will be held in the plaza in front of the Lev Ram building in Jerusalem (Ministry of Education headquarters) by the Christian Schools in Israel protesting on the discriminatory policy of the Ministry of Education towards their schools.
Illegal Israeli Settlement Sewage Water Polluting West Bank
The farmers and citizens of Salfit city, and Kafr Al-Deek town Southern West Bank on Sunday made complaints about the dangerous environmental damage they were facing because of the skunk water poured by Ariel Israeli settlement.
PLO Rejects Netanyahu’s Proposal to Discuss Settlement Borders
RAMALLAH, May 26, 2015 (WAFA) – Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Tuesday slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to discuss the borders of settlement blocs as an attempt to legitimize illegal settlement construction and expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
“The recent comment by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on the ‘two-state solution’ is nothing new. It’s a request to continue illegal settlement construction with Palestinian consent,” Erekat said in a press release.
“This looks like one state and two systems rather than two sovereign and democratic states,” he added. Erekat stressed that if Netanyahu wants to have meaningful negotiations, which would result in ending the occupation that began in 1967, he should recognize a Palestinian State on the 1967 border and honor Israel’s obligations including halting settlement construction and releasing Palestinian political prisoners.
Last week, Netanyahu told the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, that he wants to resume talks with the Palestinians, that are aimed at reaching an understanding on the borders of settlement blocs that Israel would annex under any peace agreement.
According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, an Israeli source briefed on Netanyahu’s meeting with Federica Mogherini last Wednesday said Netanyahu explained that in this way, Israel can get to know what parts of the West Bank Israel could continue building in.
To be noted, settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem are illegal under international law.
The settler population in the West Bank is estimated at 531,000: in late 2012 the population of the West Bank settlements was 341,400; in late 2011 there were 190,423 individuals living in Israeli neighborhoods in East Jerusalem.
Israel has been approving the building of new housing units in settlements located in the Palestinian territory, including in East Jerusalem, despite of international condemnations.
The Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice have all confirmed that the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements and other settlement-related activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal under international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was previously quoted by media as stating that, “We will continue to build in Jerusalem. We will add thousands of residential units and withstand all the [international] pressure, as we continue to develop our eternal capital.”
M.N./T.R.
Headlines From Palestine: May 21, 2015
Israeli Occupation Arrests Nine Palestinians In West Bank Raids
At least nine Palestinians were arrested by the Israeli army during predawn raids carried out Wednesday evening and Thursday morning in the West Bank districts of Jenin, Nablus and Hebron, according to security sources.
Israeli Occupation Holds Palestinian Village Of Burin Captive- Declares Closed Military Zone
The Israeli army closed late Wednesday night the entrance to the village of Burin, south of Nablus, with cubic cements and declared it a closed military zone, according to local sources.
PLO’s Erekat: Netanyahu Paves Way to More Racism, Extremism
Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat Wednesday said it was clear that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading towards more racism and extremism with regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Palestinian Political Prisoner Goes On Hunger Strike Over Deprivation Of Family Visits
Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Mohammad Idrees Rashdan, 38 years old from the village of Einabus near Nablus, has launched an open-ended hunger strike after being denied family visits by the Israeli authorities, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club (PPC) reported on Thursday.
PLO’s Erekat: Netanyahu Paves Way to More Racism, Extremism
RAMALLAH, May 21, 2015 (WAFA) – Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat Wednesday said it was clear that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading towards more racism and extremism with regards to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Erekat’s statement came following a meeting with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, in Ramallah on Wednesday.
“It is clear through Netanyahu’s actions, comments, and remarks that Israel has paved a new wave of racist and extremist policies and is not a partner for peace,’ said Erekat.
Netanyahu informed Mogherinib of his support to a two state solution for two people, despite his last-minute rejection of the creation of a Palestinian state in an appeal to the right during the most recent election campaign as well as the ongoing approval of new illegal settlements and outposts.
“The new Israeli cabinet has shown its commitment to consolidate an Apartheid regime in occupied Palestine as well as to continue its incitement campaign against Palestinians, sending the message that Palestinian lives, history and culture don’t matter.”
Mogherini’s visit came on the heels of Israel’s announcement of further settlement construction in Beit Sahour through the construction of 90 units for the benefit of Har Homa illegal settlement as well as settlement activities in and around Occupied East Jerusalem, including the Ramat Shlomo settlement.
The move was in direct contravention of international law and Israel’s obligations under previous agreements, as well as an obstacle ahead of the international community’s commitment to facilitate peace.
A statement by the PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department said Netanyahu brazenly expressed his disregard for the international community’s peace efforts by openly presenting Israel’s duplicity in the face of peace.
“While Netanyahu made his extremist, right-wing government’s position clear they have no desire for peace with the Palestinian people, the international community has become increasingly vague in regard to its position on the new Israel,” the statement said.
Erakat added, ‘The international community has allowed Israel to stall the prospects of a just and lasting peace for too long and has a responsibility to face Netanyahu’s hypocrisy head on, and not at the expense of the Palestinian people.
“We call on the international community to do nothing more than demand Israel fulfill its obligations under international law.’
Mogherini’s visit to Israel and Palestine was an attempt to prompt adherence to the two-State Solution and to ask both sides to fulfill their commitments to previous rounds of negotiations and agreements, including halting Israeli settlement expansion.
M.N/M.H
Nakba Day: ‘We thought we would be coming back soon’
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — Now living in the narrow concrete streets of Bethlehem’s Duheisha refugee camp, Hajjeh al-Jaafari dreams of returning to the town where she was forced to flee sixty-seven years ago.