أرشيف الوسم : Jerusalem

On Wednesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of complicity in letting Jewish “extremists” into the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem as dozens of Palestinian youth protested against Jewish people entering the holy site before a religious feast. “Aggression against the blessed al-Aqsa mosque is increasing, led by settlers and extremists, sponsored by the Israeli government”, Abbas said. Palestinian youth …

Israel is all set to go ahead with the construction of 2,160 settler homes in occupied east Jerusalem, activist group Peace Now said on Wednesday. Several Palestinian leaders were angered by the move, considered illegal by the international community. The settler homes, which have been planned for construction in the neighborhood of Givat Hamatos since 2012, were approved last week, …

Hamas’ exiled deputy chief Mussa Abu Marzuq on Wednesday said that it would resume indirect talks with Israel and consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza in mid-September in Cairo. Fifty days of lethal fighting between the Israelis and the Palestinians caused the death of over 2,200 people. The war ended on August 26th with an open-ended peace deal. Under the terms …

Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday warned that Israel was slowly destroying international support towards it, after the United States also joined the chorus of criticism it has come under after its recent expropriation of Palestinian territory, the biggest such land grab since the 80s. Lapid said that the Israeli cabinet was not consulted about Sunday’s announcement regarding the …

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that its foe Palestinian movement Hamas did not achieve any of its demands in the ceasefire deal that ended 50 days of conflict in the Gaza Strip. “Hamas was hit hard and got none of its demands.Hamas wanted a port and airport in Gaza, the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, the mediation of …

For many, following all the ins and outs of the Israeli-Palestinian saga can be confusing.  Hamas did that, the Israeli army did that.  They started the war. No, they started the war.  They broke the ceasefire.  No, they broke the ceasefire.  Hummus belongs to them. No, it belongs to them. It is all very overwhelming.  One thing, however, is glaringly …

On Monday, several thousands of Palestinians gathered at that Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to pray and stand in support of Gaza as the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr began. Police reports suggest that over 45,000 people were at the mosque, with many dressed in black T-shirts with “Gaza, supporting you is our Eid” and “We are all Gaza” written …

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday said that global efforts to end the bloodshed in Gaza were moving forward as the conflict raged on and international airlines suspended flights to Israel. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the US Secretary of State spoke about the conflict in Jerusalem and appeared cautiously optimistic regarding the future of the situation. …

Satirical letter imagining what Nelson Mandela might have written to the US columnist Thomas Friedman about the Apartheid state of Israel.This article was written by Arjan El Fassed in 2001 in the satirical style then being employed by Thomas Friedman, of writing mock letters from one world leader to another. It should not be mistaken for an actual letter from …

On Thursday, Israel deployed additional troops on the Gaza border after Palestinian rocket fire heightened tensions following the alleged revenge killing of a Palestinian teen in Jerusalem. “We are moving and we have moved forces in order to serve defense activities and forward preparation, but we have no interest in escalation”,Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, spokesman for the Israeli army, said. …