More work for NGOs despite Arab spring clean
by Abdelhafidh Abdeleli, swissinfo.ch Swiss non-governmental organisations working in North Africa and the Middle East welcome changes underway in the region, but warn that not all problems will be solved. The NGOs say that while more democracy is on the cards, constitutional changes and more social justice are needed to […]
Arabs should defeat Israeli plans
Israel is involved in a massive propaganda drive to counter Palestinians’ UN bid (winning recognition for their state). It is reported that secret cables have been sent to all Israeli embassies to exert maximum pressure on the countries they are in to thwart the international recognition of Palestinian state. Envoys […]
UNRWA: Palestinian unemployment rose in second half of 2010
By TOVAH LAZAROFF According to a study fromthe United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees, the number of jobless Palestinians is up to 25 percent. Palestinian unemployment went up in the second half of 2010, according to a study published Wednesday by the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees. The economic […]
Pro-Syrian Palestinian group kills 11 refugees — sources
By REUTERS AMMAN: Gunmen from a Palestinian faction loyal to Syria shot dead at least 11 Palestinians at a refugee camp near Damascus on Monday in a dispute over the group
Settlers Attack Palestinians in Southern West Bank
Hebron – PNN – On Monday morning a group of armed settlers attacked Palestinian farmers from the Um Al Khayr village, to the south of Hebron city in the southern West Bank, and stopped them from herding their sheep and reaching their land. According to farmers, armed settlers from the […]
Bethlehem Bible College Celebrates Graduation
Bethlehem – PNN – Bethlehem Bible College held a graduation ceremony to celebrate the students graduating from its biblical studies, tour guide and mass media programs Friday night. Graduates, dignitaries, family and friends attended the ceremony It was the 24th biblical studies, 7th tour guide and 4th mass media class to […]
Mosque’s proximity to Israeli embassy makes it iconic venue of protests
AMMAN – For over a decade, Amman’s Kalouti Mosque has become a local landmark for anti-Israeli activism. Situated a few kilometres from the Israeli embassy in the fancy Rabia neighbourhood, the mosque is today a main meeting point for pro-Palestinian activists in the capital, where they have for years demanded […]
Israeli troops kill 20 in Syrian border protests
MAJDAL SHAMS, Golan Heights (Agencies) – Israeli troops opened fire on Sunday as protesters from Syria stormed a ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights, with Damascus saying 20 demonstrators were killed and scores more were wounded. The clashes, marking the anniversary of the 1967 Mideast war, drew Israeli accusations […]
Turkey to be Offered Major Role by US in Peace Talks, if Gaza Flotilla Stopped
Ankara – PNN – The US is considering to offer Ankara the opportunity to host an Israeli-Palestinian peace summit, on the condition that it prevents a second Gaza flotilla scheduled for later this month, the Turkish newspaper Today’s Zaman reported on Friday. Israel prevented a similar mission last year, raiding an aid […]
Al-Malki: PA will Try to Bypass UN Security Council by Special Session of the General Assembly
Ramallah – PNN – Palestinian foreign affairs minister, Riyad al-Malki, announced on Wednesday that Palestinian leaders will take all needed political steps to insure recognition of the Palestinian State by the United Nations. Al-Malki explained during a press statement today that Palestinians will seek state recognition at the UN general […]
Solution known …
There is fear that if the Palestinians’ bid for recognition of a state of their own at the UN General Assembly next September is torpedoed or aborted, they may opt for another Intifada, of more ominous proportion. Having tried diplomatic means and peaceful resistance, if they find all doors firmly […]
Who cares in the Middle East what Obama says?
by Robert Fisk, The Independent President Obama has shown himself to be weak in his dealings with the Middle East, says Robert Fisk, and the Arab world is turning its back with contempt. Its future will be shaped without American influence This month, in the Middle East, has seen the […]
Greek Orthodox Christians renew calls for Arabising church leadership
By Thameen Kheetan AMMAN – Jordanian members of the Greek Orthodox Church have renewed calls for Patriarch Theophilus III to step down and for Arabising the leadership of the Greek-led church. In a protest held outside the Amman archdiocese on Sunday evening, hundreds of Orthodox Christians accused the Greek patriarch […]
Rafah Crossing Opens; Egypt Refuses Israeli Interference
Gaza – PNN – Hundreds of Palestinian moved in and out of the Gaza Strip on Saturday as the Egyptian Authorities reopened the Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip after four years of closure. As Palestinian residents expressed happiness and hope that the opening of Rafah border crossing with Egypt […]
‘Saudi Sir Edmund Hillary’ calls Al-Houby role model for youth
By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS RIYADH: Farouk Saad Hamad Al-Zuman, the first Saudi who conquered Mount Everest in 2008, has congratulated Palestinian climber Suzanne Al-Houby for becoming the first Arab woman to scale the world’s highest mountain and for sending a message of peace to Israelis and Palestinians […]
Move to the UN
Whoever waits for US and Israel to change their Palestine policy will wait a lifetime In deciding to seek full UN membership for a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Arab League is announcing that the current wave of […]
Abbas sees no hope for talks, firm on UN path
DOHA (Reuters) – The Palestinian leader said on Saturday there were “no shared foundations” for peace talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and seeking UN recognition of Palestinian statehood was his only option. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing an Arab League meeting in Doha, expressed concern that taking the […]
New gateway for Gaza
Gil Yaron, Special to The Star JERUSALEM—It’s been a while since a jubilant mood reigned in the streets of Gaza, but on Friday, many people were almost euphoric. “Everyone is happy — this is the dawn of a new era,” Muhammad Dawwas, a journalist from Gaza City, said in an […]
West Bank land won’t give Israel security: Jordan
AMMAN (Reuters) – Israel will not gain security by holding on to territory beyond what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called its “indefensible” 1967 West Bank border, Jordan’s foreign minister said. Netanyahu said this week he was ready to withdraw from parts of the West Bank, captured in the 1967 […]