|
|
Sept. 19, 2013
Daily summary - September 19, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main News
Saraya Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa brigades shoot at the Jenin checkpoint
Members of Al-Aqsa and Saraya Al-Quds brigades shot at Al-Jalameh checkpoint in the West Bank town of Jenin, in response of the occupation crimes and the murder of the young Palestinian, Islam Al-Tubbasi, two days ago. A source at Al-Quds Brigades said that a group of fighters of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Saraya Al-Quds Brigade shotyesterday night at Al-Jalame joint military checkpoint, north of the town.(http://safa.ps/details/news/112007/%D8%A5%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%89-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86.html)
Ma’an reveals: Kerry’s plan is a 200 pages document targeting the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem
Dr. Mohamed Mustafa, Deputy of Palestinian Prime Minister, revealed that the US has handed a plan to develop the Palestinian economy is written to the Palestinian leadership.Mustafa also revealed in an interview with “Ma’an” that Kerry plan, composed of 200 detailed pages, was handed over, and that it is a three-years plan, targeting 8 sectors in all areas without exception, the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Mustafa also said that the Americans will pressure Israel to facilitate the realization of this plan. According to Mustafa, the plan that was prepared by the US and the Quartet, targets promising sectors, such as agriculture, industry, tourism, energy, information technology and water, etc., and that the plan will cost approximately $4 billion provided through private investment in the Palestinian economy, not in cash.(http://maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=631200)
Kerry: If progress not achieved, we will intervene strongly
Ha’aretz quoted an Israeli official yesterday, who said that Senator John Kerry promised President Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting in London 10 days ago, that the American will intervene in the negotiations if no progress occurs. This confirms what Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riad Malki, said that Kerry conveyed a reassuring message to President Abbas concerning the future of the negotiations. Israeli sources said the current crisis of the negotiations could explode at any moment, while Palestinians stressing that Israel rejects to hand over their a clear detailed position concerning the border issue before the agreement on security arrangements, and that Israel demandsa permanent military presence along the Jordan River for years, while the Palestinians returned to their known traditional positions that reject the presence of any Israel soldier on the border between the Palestinian State and Jordan. A senior Israeli official described the American intervention in the negotiations at the moment as a minimum intervention and acceptable, and that it includes receiving reports from both sides on the negotiations before and after each round of negotiations, while the US Envoy Martin Indyk feels frustrated for not participating so far in a single round.The Israeli official added that the American Administration is fully aware that the negotiations are progressing, and that John Kerry and his advisors are discussing some ideas to be put forward in order to bridge the gaps, and reconcile in the light of the stalemate and impasse and negotiations.(Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
Erekat demands putting an end to evacuating Jerusalemites from their homes
Head of the negotiations Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization Dr. Saeb Erekat, demanded the Quartet to take all necessary measures to pressure Israel to prevent the evacuation of Palestinians from their homes, and to refrain from demolition activities including excavations in the old city of Jerusalem.Erekat called in identical letters sent to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the EU Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, to end provocative acts of settlers at Al-Aqsa Mosque that would inflame the situation and undermine the opportunity for progress toward peace. These letters included the recent Israeli evacuation warnings at Al-Qiramy neighborhood in the old city of Jerusalem and the continuous incursions of the Israeli settlers into Al-Aqsa yards under complete coverage and support of the Israeli authorities. Erekat noted that the Israelis continue their illegal actions in the occupied city of Jerusalem, including expansionist policies and the demolition of Palestinian homes, despite the fierce opposition of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and the international community.Erekat said that “the continuous Israel excavations in the old city threatens the safety and sanctity of Al-Haram Al-Sharif, while Israel violates the Fourth Geneva Convention which prohibits the demolition of property, fall within its responsibilities to ensure its protection and preservation for future generations being classified as a world heritage site.” (http://safa.ps/details/news/112002/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%84%D9%87%D9%85.html)
Bseiso: Abbas granted Al-Hamdallah with full authorities
Director of the Government Media Centre and Government Spokesman, Ihab Bseiso, revealed that President Mahmoud Abbas granted Prime Minister Ramy Al-Hamdallah, with full powers and authorities in all matters relating to the work of the Ministers and the new Government that will be sworn in today.Bseiso said in a statement that the 16th Government headed by Ramy Al-Hamdallah maintained the same Ministers of the previous caretaker Government, and that it will be sworn in tomorrow at the Presidential headquarters in Ramallah. Bseiso added that the Government is committed to its policy of supporting economic projects under the political and economic challenges facing the Palestinian people, in order to reach the desired goals, such as promoting investment and supporting the steadfastness of our people in all governorates, especially Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. (http://safa.ps/details/news/111990/%D8%A8%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B3%D9%88-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AD-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84%D8%A9.html)
Azzam Al-Ahmad, the “Fateh” block in the PLC President, said that “the President reaffirmed his confidence in Prime Minister Ramy Al-Hamdallah and the Ministers of his Government.” (Al-Ayyam)
Security services of the deposed Government in Gaza attacks students leaving via the Rafah crossing, and accuses them of coordinating with the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo
A number of citizens said on social networking sites said that the security services of the deposed Government in Gaza attacked, insulted and humiliated dozens of students who were preparing for departure to Egypt via the Rafah border crossing. Many students, their families and representatives of human rights organizations said that Hamas security prevented the students’ travel from Gaza through the Rafah crossing and assaulted them, while accusing them of not coordinating with Hamas but with the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo. Sources said that a number of students chanted slogans against Hamas forces at the Rafah crossing and denounce the deposed Government of Hamas and its Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, and demanded the resignation of Haniya and his Government. (http://www.pnn.ps/index.php/local/67248-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9)
The Israeli occupation closes Al-Aqsa for worshippers; and allows settlers to storm it
Israeli occupation closed yesterday Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Palestinians and prevented students from attending their schools inside the mosque yards, in addition to preventing Al-Aqsa staff from attending their work. The Israeli police force who were presence at the Mosque surprised worshippers and tried to force them out of the Mosque, while arresting three of them, and attacking them with tear and pepper gas. Director-General of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem Azzam Al-Khatib, said that the crisis situation is due to the closure of the mosque, adding that small and successive groups of settlers stormed the mosque in the meantime and performed prayers. (Al-Quds)
Al-Khatib said, "We made a strong protest to the Israeli police and asked them to act immediately to stop the unjustified and unacceptable actions, and at 10 a.m. the siege was lift of Al-Aqsa, and its door were re-opened to worshippers.” (Al-Ayyam)
Israelis and Palestinians denials of news release 250 prisoners
Issa Qaraqe, Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs, denied reports by the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat, of an Israeli approval to release 250 prisoners, clarifying that it is not entirely correct, and that the Palestinian negotiating leadership demanded the release of another batch of prisoners, in particular patients, leaders, PLC members, the elderly, women and others. According to Yediot Ahronot, This was also denied by Israeli political sources. Qarae saidthat the agreement to release the 104prisoners before Oslo is still valid, and that:“we are still waiting for the next three batches of prisoners to be released in the coming months.” (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
The number of settlers rose by three times more than the population growth in Israel
According to the Israeli statistics Center, the number settlers in the West Bank has increased by 5%, three times the rate of population growth in Israel, which was 1.9%.The number of settlers reached in 2012, about 341400 people, an increase of 16200, according to the Center.The number births (11,100) contributed to increasing numbers, in 68.5% of the population growth while the remaining increase of 31.5% was caused by accommodating 5100 new settlers.(Al-Quds)
Haniye: we seek one authority and one Government to face challenges
Palestinian Prime Minister of the deposed Government in Gaza Ismail Haniye, said he seeks to reach to one authority and one Government to meet the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.Haniye said during a tour of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah yesterday, that his Government is moving in parallel lines: first, strengthen the internal front, and to improve its relationship with the outside world, especially with Egypt. Haniye said "We're discussing the common denominators and the rehabilitation of our national program, and act to reachone authority and one Government to face challenges, and we strive to restore a joint function.” (Al-Quds)
The occupation orders evacuation of returnees to the village of Kofur Bire’m
The so-called “Israel Land Authority” issued an evacuation order to the displaced village Kofur Bire’m, north of the Safad, where the sons and daughters of the village’s refugees installed tents announcing their return to the village in last August. “Arabs 48” website reported that a team of the Israeli authority arrived to the village on Monday, photographed the area of the local church square and the tents, and then yesterday another team arrived to eth village and handed over the official evacuation orders. The order states that the site must be evacuated within 30 days from the receipt date and that if the site will not be evacuated, the “Israel Land Authority” will evacuate the returnees from the area. (http://safa.ps/details/news/111933/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%B5%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1-%D8%A5%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%83%D9%81%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B9%D9%85.html)
|
Headlines
** Arresting 5 Palestinian fishermen after entering the Egyptian territorial waters (Al-Ayyam)
** The occupation claims to frustrate and attempt to kill one of its soldiers near Nablus (Al-Ayyam)
** Russia and Syria stepping up efforts to prevent a Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force against Damascus (Al-Ayyam)
** Washington will continue to keep its forces in the Middle East as it is (AL-Ayyam)
** Israel accuses Iran of deception to earn time for its nuclear program (Al-Ayyam)
** Syria: militants belonging to Al-Qaida control the town of A’azaz (Al-Ayyam)
** A young man from the Triangle (inside Israel) killed with “Jabhat AL-Nasrah” in Syria (Al-Ayyam)
** Egypt opens the Rafah crossing partially (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The Government calls on Israel to remove all obstacles facing economic development (Al-Hayat AL-Jadida)
** 43 million Euros from the EU and Germany to establish a water treatment station in Nablus (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** The President receives a delegation of BirZeit University Boards of Directors (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida)
** Morsi is arrested at a military base (Al-Quds)
**Arresting 3 young Palestinian from Arab Al-Rawashdeh; the Israeli army demolishes tents establish by citizens deported from Kherbit Makhoul (Al-Quds)
|
Front Page Photos
Al- QudsJerusalem – Bab Hutta: the Israeli police prevents citizens from entering Al-Aqsa after closing its gates and allowing extreme Jew to storm it.
Al-Ayyam:1) Jerusalem: occupation forces prevent citizens from entering AL-0Aqsa mosque yesterday, 2) Rafah: angry students studying at Egyptian Universities fighting the Hamas security forces at the gates of the Rafah crossing.
Al Hayat Al Jadida:1) the occupation soldiers prevent citizens from entering Al-Aqsa mosque, 2) citizens surrounding vehicles on their way to the Rafah crossing.
|
Voice of Palestine News
Jerusalem: Today, break-ins into the Aqsa Mosque are expected to reach their peak by extremist Jews on the occasion of the Jewish holiday Sukkot.
|
Voice of Palestine Interviews
**Khalil Shaheen, of the Palestinian Center or Human Rights, on a rights report refuting Israeli claims of facilitations for the Gaza Strip
Q:So there are no facilitations easing the 7-year siege on the Strip?
This is just media rhetoric – Israel’s claim of facilitations so they can deceive the international community and so that the siege can have a sort of acceptance by this community and it could be more or less “institutionalized’. In reality, the ban on movement of goods and people is still in place. West Bankers are still not allowed to go to Gaza and vice versa, which are all contraventions to international law. Restrictions to commerce are also in place including exporting and importing. This is especially true now because Gaza used to depend on getting much of basic necessities through the tunnels with Egypt. Now, the situation is different; there is a huge lack in basic necessities and most goods, mostly fuel, building material and also personal goods not to mention services. There is an ongoing crisis in electricity.
Q: Israel’s violations in the Gaza Strip are in contravention with international law. How can Israel be sued in international courts for these crimes?
I think we have a golden opportunity following our recognition at the UN, to join international human rights agreements and is a way of halting all of these violations. Joining these agreements could help stop some of the bloodletting and hold the occupation accountable for its crimes.
**Fatah Secretary in Jenin Ata Abu Rmeileh, on the ransacking of public and private property following the killing of Islam Toubasi yesterday by Israeli occupation forces
Q: As national factions, what do you make of these attacks?
The Zionists are aimed at spreading corruption among us. What happened was a violent reaction by some young people in the camp and city of Jenin. But all national factions condemned it. This is an unjustified reaction and it is unacceptable. WE must realize that the Israeli occupation is trying to divide the people by carrying out these crimes and some people are helping this along. We say we must not give the occupation any help in dividing us. Our compass should also be directed to confronting the occupation.
Q: Have you taken any steps to punish the perpetrators?
Yes, the security services are pursuing those who assaulted public and private property and all official institutions and political parties are supporting the services in their pursuit of them. Even youths from Jenin and its camp replanted trees that were uprooted by the vigilantes. There will even be a delegation to apologize to those whose properties were harmed today.
**Kamal Shrafi, Social Affairs Minister, on preparing for the consequences of the financial crisis on food security in Palestine
Q: We expect outcomes of this crisis to show by the beginning of next year – what are the indicators on how it will affect food security in Palestine?
We had a meeting with the WFP yesterday and he said there was only 60% of the funds to cover its program for the rest of the year so we talked about how to cover basic needs and cut non-necessary needs. The situation in Palestine is not stable, as you know and there are increasing needs for the people, especially in the Gaza Strip. About 76% of families in Gaza will be affected by this crisis and 36% or 900,000 people in the West Bank who do not have food security. We realize that food security is a basic part of security in Palestine and we conveyed this to the WFP. We depend a lot on these WFP programs given this lack of security in Palestine. We know we cannot always remain dependent on assistance – we must bring down the number of families that wait for this assistance. And this crisis is hindering our plans to do so.
While we will turn to Arab countries for help, the responsibility is mainly on us, the PA to help our people through the crisis – we will not leave them to their own devices. This gap cannot be closed only by donors. The PA is also a participant in these programs and plans.
**Government spokesperson Ihab Bseiso, on the swearing in of the 16th government
Q: Why did the new government maintain the same formation as the last caretaker government?
This formation was carried out in exceptional circumstances at the economic and political levels. So the choice for political stability by reinstating the same government formation seemed like the best path to take. We thought this was a way to address the current issues on the table such as the political and diplomatic processes taking place in our quest of a state.
Q: We had heard there would be changes to the formation – is it because adding new ministers would mean a change to the budget?
No, it has nothing to do with adding ministers because according to Palestinian Basic Law, this would need ratification by the PLC, which is currently defunct. So we cannot add any ministry or minister. But talk about this change is always normal for any government.
Q: Does this government have a time limit or it is bound by the legal time limitations?
This is an official government and not a caretaker government. It will be sworn in today in front of the president and so it has full authorities. It should be said that the caretaker government had lots of accomplishments and this government will continue with those.
Q: Does it have new authorities or are they the same as the last government?
Among the discussions between the President and Prime Minister, it was agreed that the PM has full authorities of the government, which is a way of promoting the performance of the government and its coherence. It is also to promote reform and change. There are many challenges facing the government and this government will show unity in facing them.
**Writer and analyst, Abdel Majid Sweilem, on the current negotiations
Q: Saeb Erekat has warned the Quartet of the collapse of negotiations if Israel’s violations continue. What can we conclude?
Actually, these negotiations should have blown up a while ago. We do not need any more proof that this will happen. Israel is continuing with its policies. Israel is trying to take advantage of America’ silence and provoke us, to tell us that it will continue with its settlements and Judiazation and you Palestinians will be forced to sit with us at the table. This is what we all expected. These negotiations cannot last and will blow up at the next turn. We should pull out as soon as we can unless there is a surprise turn of events.
Q: What do you think Kerry meant when he said that if negotiations continue to go nowhere, we will strongly intervene?
I think the US administration knows well that Israel is not serious in the peace process. It also knows all of the things Israel is doing to hinder the peace process. The question is why has the administration waited until now to intervene? Didn’t it know that Israel would take this path? Perhaps the US truly desires a peace process. But I am also sure that it does not have the sufficient political will for this to be achieved. If the US imposed its will on Israel, what do you think Israel can do? It may have to deal with internal issues, but why should the rest of the world deal with the lack of peace just so Israel does not have to deal with internal strife over it? But Israel is buying time so it can create facts on the ground.
Q: Perhaps the Obama administration is now keener on scoring a peace deal since this is the second term for Obama
This might have been true if the US’s strategy was moving in one way or the other in the region. I think the Americans lost a battle in Egypt through its alliance with the Muslim Brotherhood. They wagered that the Brotherhood would be in rule for 50 years and would protect Israel. This strategy failed miserably. Its strategy in Syria is also not going the way they planned it.
|
More Headlines
A Palestinian killed in Al-Yarmouk refugee camp
“Action for Palestinians in Syria” group said that Ahmad Al-Haj Younis from Al-Yarmouk refugee camp was killed yesterday after being held at Syria prisons. The group said in a press release today that strong explosions occurred at Al-Yarmouk camp as a result of bombing areas near the camp, accompanied with warplanes flights. (http://safa.ps/details/news/112010/html)
Settler runs over a child in Hebron
A girl suffered from different cuts and bruises on Thursday morning after being run over by a settler in Hebron in southern West Bank, occupation forces tightened security measures at all the main entrances to the Hebron Governorate. Security sources told "SAFA" that the girl Janan Makram Al-Rajabi (6 years old) was injured after being run over on the southern area of the city, and transferred to the hospital to receive medical treatments.
The occupation forces tightened security measures on a number of military checkpoints erected at the main entrances of the Hebron Governorate, while gathered at the Halhoul Bridge area, Jouret Bahlas and the entrance of Hebron near the Zied fuel station, and the other main entrances. (http://safa.ps/details/news/html)
Settlers shoot at Palestinian shepherds South of Nablus
Settlers shot today morning at a number of shepherds near the Jewish settlement of “Itamar” Southeast of Nablus. Ghassan Daghlas, responsible for the settlements file in northern West Bank, told “Ma’an” that a number of settlers from "Itamar" shot at a number of shepherds of Khirbat Yanun, South of Nablus, to keep them away from the area near the settlement. Daghlas said that the settlers are accused of poisoning over 40 head of sheep several days ago by pouring poison into water well that supplies water for the sheep. (http://www.maannews.net/arb/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=631265)
Settlers perform religious rituals at Al-Aqsa gate
Dozens of settlers stormed today the historic Souq Al-Qataneen leading to Al-Aqsa mosque, and began performing special religious Talmudic rituals for the Succoth holiday, under tight protection of the occupation soldiers and police. Media sources in the city said: "the settlers performed their rituals at Bab Al-Qataneen that is closed by Israeli police, and that the storming took place while closing all shops belonging to the Muslim Waqf in the area, according to a police order, to allow settlers to perform their rituals freely.” (http://www.qudsnet.com/arabic/news.php?maa=View&id=253253)
|
Arab Press
Oslo’s failure offers lessons for new peace talks
James Zogby
On September 13, 1993 – exactly 20 years ago last Friday – Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin signed the Oslo Accords, on the White House lawn in Washington.
There was a sense of euphoria at the ceremony. When the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) chairman and the Israeli prime minister shook hands, Arab Americans and American Jews turned to each other to embrace and celebrate the moment.
There was optimism in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, too. Chief Palestinian negotiator Nabil Sha’ath, appearing on my call-in television show a few days later, was asked if the fledgling Palestinian government would be able to restrain perpetrators of violence against Israelis.
“If the agreement works, and I believe that it will,” he responded, “two years from now our farmers will be cultivating the land that has been liberated, our young men will be working at jobs that have been created, and we will be building the infrastructure of our new state. If, in the midst of all of this, someone were to commit an act of violence, the people would turn to us and say, ‘stop them … they are threatening everything we’ve won’.”
Many Israelis also looked confidently to the future. “Israel is another Israel, we are ready to change many of our ideas … to adapt ourselves to a new reality,” said Yossi Beilin, the deputy foreign minister. “The PLO is no longer the same PLO. Things can be done in the Middle East.”
Not everyone was pleased. Israeli critics accused Rabin of surrendering to and giving legitimacy to “terrorists”, while Palestinian critics said the Oslo documents had too many loopholes and would only prolong the occupation.
By any measure, the Accords were incomplete. They were full of ambiguities, areas where the parties fudged their differences because they could not find agreement. And resolution of the most critical issues – Jerusalem, borders, settlements, refugees, security arrangements – was put off for five years. One observer said the Accords were more “a cry for help” than a peace deal.
But nobody could deny that Israel and the PLO had taken unprecedented steps, breaking taboos and shattering myths.
In the first place, Israelis and Palestinians formally recognised each other as national communities. While Palestinians had committed themselves to a two-state solution in 1988, signing an agreement with the Israelis that recognised the legitimacy of an independent Israeli state represented a dramatic breakthrough.
Israel also had an issue with recognition. Until Oslo the Israelis had refused to acknowledge the existence of a Palestinian people.
In acknowledging the PLO, Israel opened the door to the inevitability of a Palestinian state.
The Accords also shattered the myth that the conflict was insoluble. Oslo did not provide a solution, but did reveal a willingness on both sides to seek one.
There were also other breakthroughs. No Palestinian state came into being, but the locus of Palestinian authority and decision-making moved for the first time to the Palestinian territories. And even the limited pullback of Israeli forces from the West Bank was welcome.
The idea behind the transitional phase was that five years of peaceful relations would build sufficient trust for negotiators to tackle the thorniest issues. For that to play out as envisioned, several things had to occur.
First, the US had to shift from being an observer inclined to support one side, to a fully engaged balanced participant.
Second, the parties had to move quickly. The architects of Oslo had not factored in the ability of suicide bombers, settlers on a rampage, or excessively violent Israeli occupation forces, to unravel the process. As it happened, violence soon eroded public confidence in the peace process.
Third, provision had to be made to bring the benefits of peace to both sides, to sustain their confidence. But while Israel’s economy grew quickly after Oslo, the Palestinian economy contracted. Israeli behaviour was unrestrained: settlements grew faster than ever but because of restrictive Israeli policies Palestinian unemployment doubled, income fell and businesses closed.
In the end, the flaws of Oslo proved fatal. Today the number of Israeli settlers has tripled; the Palestinian economy depends on Israeli goodwill and international largesse; thousands have died. No wonder confidence and trust are at a low point.
Now, after a long hiatus, the parties have resumed negotiations. One can only hope they have learnt these lessons from Oslo:
First, a phased approach won’t work. Opponents of peace will take advantage of an interim period to sabotage any agreement;
Second, the US can’t be an observer. The Palestinians are too weak and have no leverage. Pressure must be applied on the Israelis, to level the playing field.
Third, there must be immediate improvement in the daily life of both peoples. Israelis must feel more secure, and Palestinians must be able to see clear signs of a more just and prosperous future. (http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/oslos-failure-offers-lessons-for-new-peace-talks)
Egypt joins Israel as Gaza's jailer
By Pam Bailey and Medea Benjamin
There was a time when activist groups that focused on helping the Palestinians in Gaza reserved their harshest language and protests for Israel, which long has prohibited both air and sea traffic in and out of Gaza; tightly limited exchanges through its Erez terminal; and banned exports altogether.
While movement in and out of Gaza via the Egyptian terminal at Rafah was restricted as well, it nonetheless was a critical lifeline for Palestinians needing to travel, and for humanitarian aid. Likewise, members of the Egyptian government often played a constructive role in facilitating negotiations between the various Palestinian factions, as well as with international parties.
However, in the two months since the Egyptian military took control, it has made clear it will no longer serve as that "bridge". In fact, as the military and other opponents of ousted President Mohamed Morsi increasingly blame Palestinian "elements" for growing unrest and violence, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, the interim government of Egypt has increasingly allied itself with Israel in strategy and actions - becoming just as much Gazans' gaoler as its neighbour to the east. As The Washington Post reported, "with Egypt's military-backed interim government shutting down the tunnels and largely closing its own pedestrian crossing at Rafah, Gaza is increasingly shut off from the world".
In response, organisations ranging from the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza to Gaza's Ark (an international coalition focused on ending the Israeli ban on exports) are directly including Egypt in their messaging. And a petition launched by a grassroots coalition calling itself the International Campaign to #OpenRafahBorder attracted more than 1,000 signatures from around the world in just the first 24 hours. The coalition's goal is to collect 25,000 signatures and deliver them to Egyptian ambassadors, the United Nations and human rights organisations.
Stranded students and patients
Before Egypt's military ousted Morsi on July 3, an estimated 1,200 people-a-day used to cross through Rafah, which was Gaza's main window to the world. Since then, the average number of permitted travellers has only been 250 each day, if Rafah is open at all. At this article's writing, Rafah had been closed for six consecutive days. The EuroMid Observer for Human Rights estimates that at least 10,000 Palestinians are currently on the waiting list to cross on the Gaza side alone.
Many of the individuals left stranded are students trying to get to universities after months of effort to apply for scarce scholarships. Malaka Mohammed, a 23-year-old refugee, is set to begin studying global politics and law at the UK's Sheffield University on Sept. 30, after working hard to obtain a partial scholarship and fundraising through an online campaign. With about half of the needed donations already in, Mohammed took a risk and made arrangements to travel to the UK on September 18. Now she is wondering if all that work was for naught.
"Gaza really is the world's biggest prison and it's become more so every day. We thought the Rafah crossing was our exit to freedom and happiness. But it has become a place where people lose their hopes," she posted on Facebook.
Other stranded travellers include persons needing medical care. Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry, told Reuters that 1,000 individuals a month require medical care in Egypt or other countries due to the shortages and other difficulties in the Strip. While foreign physicians often travel to Gaza to bring vital supplies and provide care, these days they aren't being allowed in. "Until June, we had received 60 delegations of doctors who performed surgery on 1,000 patients. No delegation has arrived since then," Qidra told Reuters.
Gazans face fuel shortage
Although word came on September 16, that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had interceded with the Egyptian interim government to open up a few hours for students and sick people, Gazans were unimpressed. Shahd Abusalama, who is trying to leave to study in Istanbul, posted this comment: "Thanks a lot, Abbas, for finding some time to think about us and deciding to take action. We, the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, appreciate that you finally have some sympathy for us. The crisis cannot be solved by opening up for just two days, four working hours each. This is not a solution. If they manage to let 500 people cross, what will happen to the rest? F**k him!"
No more pipeline of supplies
Currently, the only way for goods and supplies to enter Gaza is Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing (Rafah was not constructed to handle freight traffic). However, the volume allowed is far below the population's needs (179 trucks a day, compared to nearly 600 before Israel imposed the siege in 2007). Thus, underground smuggling tunnels from Egypt to Gaza have played the role of a crucial "safety valve". According to the EuroMid Observer for Human Rights, Gaza's businesses have relied on the tunnels for more than 45 percent of their raw materials - including about 7,500 tonnes of construction materials per day.
However, the Egyptian military now has launched a massive campaign to destroy the tunnels, without a plan for allowing goods in via another route. The operation seems to be part of an effort to cripple Hamas - an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood - which governs the coastal enclave.
Local sources say 90 percent of the tunnels have been forced out of operation; fewer than 10 are still open, compared to an estimated 300 before the crackdown. As a result of the tunnel destruction and other restrictions, says the Euro-Mid Observer, 60 percent of industrial businesses are closed and the rest are operating at partial capacity, putting more than 19,500 people out of work.
A related challenge is that Gazans have come to rely on the cheap, state-subsidised fuel and gas smuggled from Egypt (Israeli gas is twice as expensive and thus not affordable). Long lines at gas stations, as well as a dramatic reduction in cars available for transportation, are now increasingly the reality in Gaza.
Yousef Aljamal, a young Gazan employee of a local NGO, posted on Facebook, "the transportation crisis in Gaza is deepening. I waited half-an-hour this morning to get a ride to my office, to no avail. I had to change the route I take every day, increasing the fees I have to pay. It also took me half-an-hour to get a ride to get home. Exhausted!"
With the irrepressible Gazan "graveyard" humour, another friend commented, "I heard that our electricity company is gonna run their generators on donkeys - sounds like good news: green energy!"
On September 5, the Palestinian Energy Authority warned that the Gaza Power Plant is in danger of shutting down completely due to lack of fuel. If the plant shuts down, the result would be power outages of 12 to 16 hours-a-day, up from the current 8 to 12 hours, disabling water and waste-disposal systems as well as crippling many businesses.
Even more alarming, warns the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, is the fact that Gaza's 14 hospitals and 60 health centres have long relied on 250,000 litres of the less-expensive Egyptian fuel each month (likewise, 30 percent of their medicines and other supplies had come through Rafah).
Militarisation of the Gaza-Egypt border
Indicative of just how much - and how permanently - the situation on the ground is changing is the news that the Egyptian army has begun bulldozing and blowing up houses on its side of the border near Rafah. The action is step one towards clearing the way for a "buffer zone" hundreds of yards wide between the two sides, replicating the barren no-man's-land that Israel enforces inside Gaza to keep Palestinians from approaching the Israeli border. Hamas officials told The Washington Post that the Egyptian military plans to dig a moat along the border and fill it with water.
Meanwhile, this month two Egyptian army tanks crossed into the Gaza side of the border for the first time; although they didn't go far, it created a precedent.
Gaza fishermen are being attacked as well. On September 14, news reports confirmed that Egyptian naval forces had opened fire at and arrested two fishermen in waters off Rafah. That was the second time in recent weeks that Egyptian forces opened fire at Gaza fishermen.
As if taking their cue from the new bellicosity of Egypt, the Israeli military has begun to abrogate the concessions brokered by Morsi's government in November 2012, as part of a ceasefire that ended eight days of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip and retaliatory fire from groups in the territory.
As part of the agreement, Israel had reduced the "buffer zone" along its border with Gaza, from 300 metres to 100. However, after Morsi was ousted by the Egyptian military, farmers reported being shot at as far as 500 metres out. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented during July and August that Israel was responsible for one shelling, 12 shootings and seven incursions in the buffer zone - resulting in one death and seven injuries, including two children.
It seems clear that as the world remains focused on Syria and Iran, Israel and Egypt are working in concert to "re-write" the facts on the ground for Gaza. It's time for the international activist community to mobilise. (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/09/201391711394395976.html)
|
Opinions
Kerry’s mission and the probability of failure
By Osama Abdel Rahman
US Secretary of State John Kerry has made several visits in order to revive the peace negotiations between the PA and the Zionist entity. It is a well-known fact that Kerry’s mission is tough and faces a good chance of failure. He has been succeeded by other American officials whose efforts have all reaped failure for the same reason, which is Israel’s intransigent positions and its insistence on building colonies on Palestinian land and not recognizing the 1967 borders as a reference point.
Perhaps the role which the US administration is carrying out also includes some of the reasons for this failure as well. It has never applied any real pressure on Israel to obligate it to halt settlements and accept the ’67 border reference. Instead it pressures the weaker party in the equation, or the Palestinian Authority. This Authority has given numerous concessions while the ‘Zionist entity’ has given nothing.
If the American administration truly wants to see Kerry’s mission succeed, it will have to put real pressure on Israel. This is because settlements truly are an obstacle to peace and a tool for annihilating the idea of a two-state solution, which the US administration officially adopted. The position of this administration on settlements is somewhat suspicious – on the one hand it considers settlements to be illegal but on the other, it stands against a consensus for condemning settlements at the UN Security Council. This is enough evidence of the American’s lack of objectivity and prompts Israel to continue its policy of building these colonies irrespective of its violations of international law and legitimacy.
It is elementary that continuation of this policy undermines any chance or peace and also the idea of a two-state solution. Also, the lack of acknowledging the ’67 borders as a point of reference shoots down any chances of peace or two states.
Halting settlements and recognizing the ’67 borders are two main pillars for achieving peace and two states. So in this sense it is futile to put pressure on the Palestinian side to concede these two pillars.
It is also a well-known fact that the US administration knows that settlements are an obstacle to peace and to the two-state solution. However, it does not deal with this knowledge objectively. While it is true that Israel considers the settlements as part of its entity and existence and as a pivotal point in its racist colonialist project, the US administration could still obligate them to halt settlement construction at least for a limited amount of time, during the negotiations that is, by using its pressure tactics on Israel – that is, if it wants Kerry’s mission to succeed. It is no use in such a situation to offer incentives to Israel in exchange for a temporary and partial freeze because this would merely be considered as pampering. Israel reused such an offer a few years back because it realized that the United States would continue to offer its support at the military, economic and political levels and defend it in international arenas against any pursuit, accountability or charges.
The United States is aware that Israel wants the negotiations and it is going with that approach in order to beautify its image to the world as a peace loving country even though Israel has done nothing for the sake of peace.
It is useless for the American administration to try and dissociate itself from pressuring Israel on settlements or the ’67 borders because these are the two basic pillars for the success of Kerry’s mission and for achieving peace and the two-state solution which the US itself has adopted. If the US does not put real pressure on Israel to abide by these two premises then Kerry’s mission will fail just lie all the other American missions before his.
It is also futile for the administration to pressure the weaker party in the equation, which is the PA, by enticing it with economic support so it could abandon its condition of a halt to settlements. This pressure is in the wrong place and will not contribute to achieving peace because settlements, on principle, cancel out this concept altogether.
It is strange though, that Kerry announced that the two sides had agreed on the foundations or resuming negotiations just a short while after the Palestinian leadership demanded written guarantees pertaining to the ’67 borders as a reference point and a halt to settlements.
Is this a circumvention of the Palestinian demand for the sole purpose of reviving the negotiations? (http://www.alkhaleej.ae/portal/754cf5f1-a338-4ae7-a86f-bd3a10959766.aspx)
A new rip in the West Bank and a knife in the heart of the negotiations
Al Quds Editorial
Israel officially announced at the highest levels of authority that it has prepared a plan to open a huge road at the cost of NIS35 million between the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the central West Bank and the Dead Sea.
This road does not only cause yet another rip in the West Bank but it its details also raise even more suspicions about Israel’s intentions. The project is slated to begin in January, 2014 and will take around a year and a half to be completed, that is, by mid-2015. Hence, the current negotiations, which are in a vicious cycle, like one Palestinian official described them because of the security file, will remain in this cycle or years to come, much longer than the nine months allotted for the end of this phase of the negotiations.
Meanwhile, settlement building continues with thousands of new units under construction. The attacks on the Aqsa Mosque are also continuing and the predictions that the two-state solution is dead are coming true while negotiations tread water uselessly. Israel, of course, is still not prepared or intends to accept the 1967 borders and is actually doing the opposition by using the negotiations as a cover or its expansionist aspirations and its destructive policies for any chances of peace.
Once again, the question goes back to the Palestinian leadership of what needs to be don now and how do we ace these dangers and challenges that are a threat to all of our land and which close all the doors to any solution or dreams of a just peace and the two state solution.
Wrong and unacceptable behavior
The verbal abuse that Fatah leader Azzam Al Ahmad was subject to in the Aqsa Mosque compound while accompanying a visiting Jordanian delegation prompted widespread popular and official displeasure among political and religious parties in the country. This is regardless of whether they agree or disagree with Al Ahmad’s positions, whether they support Fatah or oppose it or whether they support the ousted Egyptian President Mursi or those who ousted him. this is because the issue goes beyond personal boundaries and has to do more with the general religious and national stance pertaining to how we behave in houses of God and worship. The protesters could have stopped Ahmad to discuss with him and explain their positions on why they are against him and Fatah and against the ousting of Mursi. But to resort to profane language and hand movements is unequivocally unacceptable and looks bad for the people who behaved this way more than anyone else.
What makes this behavior even worse is that it happened at the peak of Israeli measures and schemes against the Aqsa Mosque, the increased Israeli break-ins to its courtyards and the official announcement and implementation of its division temporally and spatially. This calls or national unity, overcoming any differences, rather than doing things that deepen the split and add fuel to the fire.
We call on all forces – regardless of their affiliations and positions – to condemn this precedent that gives us all a bad name. (http://www.alquds.com/news/article/view/id/463022)
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
BACKGROUND
POLLS
WAYS TO GET JMCC
CONTACT US
|
To subscribe to free newsletter submit your email |
|
|
|