25 apr 2018
Preparations necessary to move the US embassy on May 14 from Tel Aviv to Occupied Jerusalem have completed.
Among the preparations are road signs, as well as an access road for an embassy building being built behind the current US consulate.
According to the Hebrew media, the new embassy will be an interim embassy facility in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem, partially converting what is currently used as a US consulate into a temporary embassy. It will house US Ambassador David Friedman's office, and a small portion of the staff currently located at the embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Arnona compound will be expanded, with the addition of a new annex, likely by the end of 2019.
The Hebrew media also claimed that US president Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner would represent the administration at the Embassy's opening ceremony.
Among the preparations are road signs, as well as an access road for an embassy building being built behind the current US consulate.
According to the Hebrew media, the new embassy will be an interim embassy facility in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem, partially converting what is currently used as a US consulate into a temporary embassy. It will house US Ambassador David Friedman's office, and a small portion of the staff currently located at the embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Arnona compound will be expanded, with the addition of a new annex, likely by the end of 2019.
The Hebrew media also claimed that US president Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner would represent the administration at the Embassy's opening ceremony.
24 apr 2018
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued a public statement assuring that the country will not relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Her comments were made during an interview with Israeli TV on Sunday, maintaining Germany’s official rejection of a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“We have to work for the two-state solution, and, according to that, the status of Jerusalem should be clarified.” Merkel said.
Chancellor Merkel argues that status, in-line with Bundestag policy, can only be established in the framework of a multilateral peace agreement.
Merkel’s statement comes as a rejection of official U.S. policy, which, last December, under President Trump, called for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as well as beginning the process to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Israel is a sovereign nation…that has the right to determine its own capital,” Trump said, ignoring the fact that Israel has occupied East Jerusalem for 50 years, in violation of international law.
Earlier this year, according to Ma’an, Chancellor Merkel questioned the progress being made toward such a peace agreement, stating that “Israel’s current settlement policy contradicts applicable international law and is not supported by us because it impedes a two-state solution.”
Chancellor Merkel’s statement came in response to a recent push from Petr Bystron, a member of Germany’s far-right AfD party, who, in recent days, has been aligning his party’s policies with that of the U.S. government in the relocation of Germany’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In December of 2017, Bystron issued a press release criticizing the German government’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly that deemed Trump’s announcement as redundant. The AfD, according to Bystron: “voiced its support for a strong and free Israel with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Despite Bystron’s pro-Israel rhetoric, his far-right opposite party has been boycotted by the Israeli government, and local Jewish community in Germany for its racist, and xenophobic policy platform.
Official German policy states that: “Our goal is a two-state solution with a State of Israel… as well as an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The status of Jerusalem, as well as other final status issues, will only be settled in the course of negotiations in order to be permanently accepted and durable.”
Her comments were made during an interview with Israeli TV on Sunday, maintaining Germany’s official rejection of a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
“We have to work for the two-state solution, and, according to that, the status of Jerusalem should be clarified.” Merkel said.
Chancellor Merkel argues that status, in-line with Bundestag policy, can only be established in the framework of a multilateral peace agreement.
Merkel’s statement comes as a rejection of official U.S. policy, which, last December, under President Trump, called for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, as well as beginning the process to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“Israel is a sovereign nation…that has the right to determine its own capital,” Trump said, ignoring the fact that Israel has occupied East Jerusalem for 50 years, in violation of international law.
Earlier this year, according to Ma’an, Chancellor Merkel questioned the progress being made toward such a peace agreement, stating that “Israel’s current settlement policy contradicts applicable international law and is not supported by us because it impedes a two-state solution.”
Chancellor Merkel’s statement came in response to a recent push from Petr Bystron, a member of Germany’s far-right AfD party, who, in recent days, has been aligning his party’s policies with that of the U.S. government in the relocation of Germany’s embassy to Jerusalem.
In December of 2017, Bystron issued a press release criticizing the German government’s vote in the United Nations General Assembly that deemed Trump’s announcement as redundant. The AfD, according to Bystron: “voiced its support for a strong and free Israel with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Despite Bystron’s pro-Israel rhetoric, his far-right opposite party has been boycotted by the Israeli government, and local Jewish community in Germany for its racist, and xenophobic policy platform.
Official German policy states that: “Our goal is a two-state solution with a State of Israel… as well as an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security. The status of Jerusalem, as well as other final status issues, will only be settled in the course of negotiations in order to be permanently accepted and durable.”
21 apr 2018
The US State Department dropped from its annual human rights report released on Friday the term “Occupied Territories” when making reference to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
The Washington-based Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) said it is seen as a major shift in US foreign policy towards Israel and the Palestinians.
The U.N., the E.U., Russia, China and almost all the countries in the world see the Israeli control of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights since 1967 as "military occupation."
In previous years, the headline of the report was: "Human rights practices in Israel and the occupied territories." However, this year’s document refers instead to “Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza.”
IMEU said that US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, a staunch supporter of Israel’s illegal settlement policy in the occupied territories, had asked the State Department in December to stop referring to the occupied territories as “occupied.”
Israel has occupied The Golan, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza in the 1967 Six Day War.
The Washington-based Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) said it is seen as a major shift in US foreign policy towards Israel and the Palestinians.
The U.N., the E.U., Russia, China and almost all the countries in the world see the Israeli control of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights since 1967 as "military occupation."
In previous years, the headline of the report was: "Human rights practices in Israel and the occupied territories." However, this year’s document refers instead to “Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza.”
IMEU said that US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, a staunch supporter of Israel’s illegal settlement policy in the occupied territories, had asked the State Department in December to stop referring to the occupied territories as “occupied.”
Israel has occupied The Golan, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza in the 1967 Six Day War.
16 apr 2018
The Arab leaders participating in the 29th Arab League summit held in the Saudi city of Dhahran on Sunday confirmed the Arab identity of East Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Palestine.
In the concluding statement of the summit, named "Jerusalem Summit", the Arab leaders stressed the right of Palestine to sovereignty over all territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
They called for peace as a strategic option and a way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab peace initiative launched by Saudi Arabia in 2002.
They also expressed their rejection of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy in Israel to the holy city. They announced the decision "null" and "void" and a "grave breach of international law".
Dhahran summit strongly condemned Israel's illegal settlement policy pursued in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
The summit pledged $100 million per month to support Palestine in light of the pressure and the financial crisis it is going through.
Earlier on Sunday, the 29th Arab League summit kicked off under the name "Jerusalem Summit, and it was attended by 14 Arab leaders.
In December 2017, the US president Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel sparking widespread international condemnation.
In the concluding statement of the summit, named "Jerusalem Summit", the Arab leaders stressed the right of Palestine to sovereignty over all territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
They called for peace as a strategic option and a way to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in accordance with the Arab peace initiative launched by Saudi Arabia in 2002.
They also expressed their rejection of the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US embassy in Israel to the holy city. They announced the decision "null" and "void" and a "grave breach of international law".
Dhahran summit strongly condemned Israel's illegal settlement policy pursued in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 including East Jerusalem.
The summit pledged $100 million per month to support Palestine in light of the pressure and the financial crisis it is going through.
Earlier on Sunday, the 29th Arab League summit kicked off under the name "Jerusalem Summit, and it was attended by 14 Arab leaders.
In December 2017, the US president Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel sparking widespread international condemnation.
11 apr 2018
Eight American Jews from the “If Not Now Movement” were arrested in front of US Senator Chuck Schumer’s office in Manhattan, on Monday.
The activists were chanting, “How many more Chuck?” referring to the number of Palestinian protesters killed at the Gaza Border.
The New York senator has not bothered to shake his head at the Israeli government’s reaction to protesters, let alone speak out against the violence. Though not surprising to Palestinian-Americans, American Jews are appalled at the senator’s silence.
After If Not Now, activists requested the senator’s office to release a statement condemning Israel’s use of live fire during the Gaza border protests, which have left more than 30 Palestinians dead and thousands wounded. Senator Schumer’s staff rebuked the protester’s request, sparking a blockade to his office on Monday.
The members of If Not Now gathered in front of Schumer’s office protesting his silence, standing in solidarity with Palestinian protesters and reciting the Qaddish, a Jewish prayer for the souls of the dead, the families that mourn, and the call for universal peace.
Last week, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont was quick to criticize the Israeli government, stating that he believed they “overreacted”. Sanders’ counterpart in Vermont, Senator Patrick Leahy, has also voiced his skepticism of the Israeli government’s motives.
An aid from his office stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza should be considered as a violation of the “Leahy Law,” a US law that prohibits aid to foreign military units that engage in human rights violations.
After statements made by Senator Sanders and Senator Leahy’s office, representatives Betty McCollum of Minnesota and Barbara Lee of California also tweeted their concern and called on the international community to do more to end the violence and resolve the conflict.
Even so, Senator Schumer has remained silent to what the US would consider a blatant violation of the first amendment which gives ensures the, “right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
In related news, the Israeli government recently barred Dublin Lord Mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha from entering Israel because of his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli Strategic Affairs Ministry, the organization in charge of fighting delegitimization of Israel, said that the reason for the decision was was Donncha’s ties with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which promotes boycotts of Israeli companies and international companies who work in Israel.
According to the ministry, the mayor promoted the IPSC’s ideas through the city council and publicly expressed support for them.
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said , “The policy I set is clear: He who works consistently to boycott Israel will not enter here.”
In January, Israel summoned the Irish ambassador in Israel for clarification and to express dissatisfaction in light of a proposed bill in Ireland’s national parliament calling for a boycott of Israeli settlements.
The activists were chanting, “How many more Chuck?” referring to the number of Palestinian protesters killed at the Gaza Border.
The New York senator has not bothered to shake his head at the Israeli government’s reaction to protesters, let alone speak out against the violence. Though not surprising to Palestinian-Americans, American Jews are appalled at the senator’s silence.
After If Not Now, activists requested the senator’s office to release a statement condemning Israel’s use of live fire during the Gaza border protests, which have left more than 30 Palestinians dead and thousands wounded. Senator Schumer’s staff rebuked the protester’s request, sparking a blockade to his office on Monday.
The members of If Not Now gathered in front of Schumer’s office protesting his silence, standing in solidarity with Palestinian protesters and reciting the Qaddish, a Jewish prayer for the souls of the dead, the families that mourn, and the call for universal peace.
Last week, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont was quick to criticize the Israeli government, stating that he believed they “overreacted”. Sanders’ counterpart in Vermont, Senator Patrick Leahy, has also voiced his skepticism of the Israeli government’s motives.
An aid from his office stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza should be considered as a violation of the “Leahy Law,” a US law that prohibits aid to foreign military units that engage in human rights violations.
After statements made by Senator Sanders and Senator Leahy’s office, representatives Betty McCollum of Minnesota and Barbara Lee of California also tweeted their concern and called on the international community to do more to end the violence and resolve the conflict.
Even so, Senator Schumer has remained silent to what the US would consider a blatant violation of the first amendment which gives ensures the, “right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
In related news, the Israeli government recently barred Dublin Lord Mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha from entering Israel because of his support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
According to Haaretz newspaper, the Israeli Strategic Affairs Ministry, the organization in charge of fighting delegitimization of Israel, said that the reason for the decision was was Donncha’s ties with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which promotes boycotts of Israeli companies and international companies who work in Israel.
According to the ministry, the mayor promoted the IPSC’s ideas through the city council and publicly expressed support for them.
Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said , “The policy I set is clear: He who works consistently to boycott Israel will not enter here.”
In January, Israel summoned the Irish ambassador in Israel for clarification and to express dissatisfaction in light of a proposed bill in Ireland’s national parliament calling for a boycott of Israeli settlements.
7 apr 2018
The US on Friday blocked, for a second week running, a UN Security Council (SC) statement supporting the right of Palestinians to demonstrate peacefully and endorsing secretary-general Antonio Guterres’ call for an independent investigation into the killing and injury of protesters in Gaza.
Earlier on Friday, Kuwait, which represents Arab countries at the council, circulated a draft press statement to member states that reaffirmed Palestinians’ right to peaceful protest and called for an independent and transparent probe of the clashes over the past week.
On Twitter, Kuwait’s UN mission said the UNSC “should address this matter and have a unified positions… What is happening is a violation of international law.”
Earlier on Friday, Kuwait, which represents Arab countries at the council, circulated a draft press statement to member states that reaffirmed Palestinians’ right to peaceful protest and called for an independent and transparent probe of the clashes over the past week.
On Twitter, Kuwait’s UN mission said the UNSC “should address this matter and have a unified positions… What is happening is a violation of international law.”
1 apr 2018
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, has met with leaders from a number of right-wing Jewish organizations during his tour of the United States.
The groups, which have donated millions to illegal settlement building and the fight against BDS (the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, include officials from AIPAC, Stand Up for Israel (ADL) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
Haaretz reported that, according to a leaked copy of his itinerary, Bin Salman also met with leaders from the Conference of Presidents, B’nai B’rith and the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
AIPAC, ADL and the JFNA have long targeted BDS, a non-violent movement that seeks to economically pressure Israel into providing equal rights and a right of return to Palestinians.
Some of the pro-Israel US groups have spent millions in lobbying for the Combating BDS Act, a bill that seeks to stifle BDS.
Meanwhile, JFNA gave almost $6m to illegal Israeli settlements between 2012 and 2015.
JFNA supports a number of settlements over the Green Line (the border separating pre-1967 Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories), and helps families of Jews suspected or convicted of violence against Palestinians.
‘Pro-Israelis guard Washington’
While Saudi Arabia does not officially recognize Israel, analysts have repeatedly said that the overtures by Bin Salman signal a warming of ties between the two countries.
Mahjoob Zweiri, the director of the Gulf Studies Programme at Qatar University, said the royal visit was “a PR campaign aimed to represent a new face of the kingdom to the US, one that was flexible and willing to change.”
“There was an old understanding from Arab leaders that the gates for Washington, DC are guarded by pro-Israeli leaders. This includes business leaders, groups such as AIPAC and others linked to Israel,” Zweiri told Al Jazeera.
“[Bin Salman] is following that trend, he’s trying to court the US and show them that he supports their plan for Israel-Palestine and their decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
“Another dimension is that when Republicans are in power, it’s widely believed they have closer ties to Israel and the Israeli agenda.
“US President Donald Trump’s ‘deal of the century,’ which recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, could also see a normalizing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and force the Palestinians to agree to Israeli demands.”
As part of his two-week tour, the crown prince has already met Bill and Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
He is expected to meet Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and major opinion-maker in the US in the coming days.
Other notable media meetings include dinner with Rupert Murdoch, CIA director and soon to be Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence, Defence Secretary James Mattis and Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
~Al Jazeera/Days of Palestine
12/24/18 Prince Salman Warns Abbas to Support US ‘Peace Plan’ or Be Ousted
02/27/18 Saudi Arabia Reportedly Leading Secret US-Palestinian Talks
The groups, which have donated millions to illegal settlement building and the fight against BDS (the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, include officials from AIPAC, Stand Up for Israel (ADL) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
Haaretz reported that, according to a leaked copy of his itinerary, Bin Salman also met with leaders from the Conference of Presidents, B’nai B’rith and the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
AIPAC, ADL and the JFNA have long targeted BDS, a non-violent movement that seeks to economically pressure Israel into providing equal rights and a right of return to Palestinians.
Some of the pro-Israel US groups have spent millions in lobbying for the Combating BDS Act, a bill that seeks to stifle BDS.
Meanwhile, JFNA gave almost $6m to illegal Israeli settlements between 2012 and 2015.
JFNA supports a number of settlements over the Green Line (the border separating pre-1967 Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories), and helps families of Jews suspected or convicted of violence against Palestinians.
‘Pro-Israelis guard Washington’
While Saudi Arabia does not officially recognize Israel, analysts have repeatedly said that the overtures by Bin Salman signal a warming of ties between the two countries.
Mahjoob Zweiri, the director of the Gulf Studies Programme at Qatar University, said the royal visit was “a PR campaign aimed to represent a new face of the kingdom to the US, one that was flexible and willing to change.”
“There was an old understanding from Arab leaders that the gates for Washington, DC are guarded by pro-Israeli leaders. This includes business leaders, groups such as AIPAC and others linked to Israel,” Zweiri told Al Jazeera.
“[Bin Salman] is following that trend, he’s trying to court the US and show them that he supports their plan for Israel-Palestine and their decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem.
“Another dimension is that when Republicans are in power, it’s widely believed they have closer ties to Israel and the Israeli agenda.
“US President Donald Trump’s ‘deal of the century,’ which recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, could also see a normalizing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and force the Palestinians to agree to Israeli demands.”
As part of his two-week tour, the crown prince has already met Bill and Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
He is expected to meet Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and major opinion-maker in the US in the coming days.
Other notable media meetings include dinner with Rupert Murdoch, CIA director and soon to be Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Vice President Mike Pence, Defence Secretary James Mattis and Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
~Al Jazeera/Days of Palestine
12/24/18 Prince Salman Warns Abbas to Support US ‘Peace Plan’ or Be Ousted
02/27/18 Saudi Arabia Reportedly Leading Secret US-Palestinian Talks
The US on Saturday foiled a draft statement submitted by Kuwait to the UN Security Council (UNSC) on the massacre committed by the Israeli occupation army against peaceful protesters in Gaza leaving at least 17 dead.
Al-Jazeera correspondent in New York said that the US raised objections to the draft statement proposed by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries in the UNSC.
The correspondent added that Kuwait sought to obtain a statement from the UNSC during the consultations held on Friday evening but when the US objected that Kuwait called for an open session on Saturday.
He explained that the US objected to the Kuwait-drafted statement which was circulated during Saturday's open session though it did not include any condemnation of the killing of peaceful protesters who took part in Gaza's Great March of Return.
He pointed out that this is not the first time that Washington has prevented the UNSC from condemning Israel's crimes, saying that the US biased position has become more clear since the US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley took office.
Kuwait's draft statement expressed grave concern over the situation at Gaza border, emphasized the right to peaceful protest and expressed sorrow at the loss of innocent Palestinian lives.
The statement called for an independent and transparent investigation into the massacre and urged respect for international human rights including protection of civilians.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Friday said that an emergency session of the UNSC had been called for to stop and condemn the Gaza massacre, while the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he had asked the Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour to make the necessary measures to seek international protection for Palestinian protesters.
Al-Jazeera correspondent in New York said that the US raised objections to the draft statement proposed by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries in the UNSC.
The correspondent added that Kuwait sought to obtain a statement from the UNSC during the consultations held on Friday evening but when the US objected that Kuwait called for an open session on Saturday.
He explained that the US objected to the Kuwait-drafted statement which was circulated during Saturday's open session though it did not include any condemnation of the killing of peaceful protesters who took part in Gaza's Great March of Return.
He pointed out that this is not the first time that Washington has prevented the UNSC from condemning Israel's crimes, saying that the US biased position has become more clear since the US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley took office.
Kuwait's draft statement expressed grave concern over the situation at Gaza border, emphasized the right to peaceful protest and expressed sorrow at the loss of innocent Palestinian lives.
The statement called for an independent and transparent investigation into the massacre and urged respect for international human rights including protection of civilians.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki on Friday said that an emergency session of the UNSC had been called for to stop and condemn the Gaza massacre, while the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he had asked the Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour to make the necessary measures to seek international protection for Palestinian protesters.
