Newspapers Review: Dailies Highlight Settlement Expansion, Protests over Tax Revenues Freeze RAMALLAH, January 27, 2015 (WAFA) – An Israeli plan to expand the illegal settlement of Efrat near Bethlehem together with the protests organized across the West Bank (WB) over the ongoing freeze of Palestinian tax revenues by Israel hit the front page headlines of the Arabic Palestinian dailies. Highlighting the settlement expansion plan in their main news item, Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported that Israeli occupation authorities have approved a new plan to expand Efrat settlement in ‘Gush Etzion’ settlement bloc over 1,700 dunum (988 acres) of seized Palestinian land. Al-Quds quoted the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem’s General Director Jad Isaac warning that thousands of dunums of Palestinian land would be seized to realize the plan of establishing ‘Greater Jerusalem’. It also quoted Peace Now organization as saying: “Protected by the Israeli Housing and Construction Ministry, settlers attempt to create new realities ahead of upcoming Israeli elections.” Al-Ayyam printed a photo for Artas hill under threat of being seized for settlement expansion. Another focus was the protests organized across the WB over the ongoing withholding of Palestinian tax revenues by Israel in a punitive measure against the Palestinian Authority’s membership at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that rallies were organized in protest of ‘Israeli piracy’, while Fatah has threatened to escalate the situation in response to the ongoing withholding of the Palestinian tax revenues. Al-Quds reported that these protests were organized against Israeli reprisals and ongoing freeze of tax revenues. Al-Ayyam reported in this regard that protestors have called for boycotting Israeli products. Fatah Central Committee member Mahmoud al-‘Alul said: “We will take some forthcoming decisions that would redefine the relation with the Israeli occupation.” The three dailies printed photos showing protestors lifting placards and banners slamming the latest Israeli practice and calling for boycotting Israeli products. Al-Quds reported on Premier Rami Hamdallah meeting with UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl to discuss means to accelerate Gaza reconstruction and attendance of a ceremony marking the Indian Republic Day in Ramallah. Both al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported that 43 former members of the Israeli military elite surveillance agency, Unit 8200, were dismissed for refusing to spy on Palestinians. The two papers also said that seven Palestinian detainees were moved to Israeli hospitals following a drastic deterioration in their health during January. They reported the Israeli forces launched an arrest operation, resulting in clashes across many West Bank areas. Al-Ayyam added that Israeli undercover forces, known as Mista’arvim unit, and detained a Palestinian child for several hours in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Regarding the upcoming Israeli legislative elections, al-Quds reported that a recent opinion poll survey has showed that the various Israeli parties contend to support enabling Jews ‘to pray’ in the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound. Al-Hayat al-Jadida quoted King Abdullah II as stating: “Solving the Palestinian cause is a starting point to solving all regional conflicts.” Al-Ayyam reported that Israeli naval forces arrested four Palestinian fishermen, firing at their boats which sank in the Gaza waters’ fishing zone. palestine.dk/?p=7603&preview=true
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:46:01 +0000
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