11 dec 2017
Following the Defense Minister's call to boycott Wadi Ara in an attempt to make its residents 'feel unwanted here' following Saturday's riots in the area, both Arab and Jewish residents of the region express their furor, urge coexistence.
Both Jews and Israeli Arabs slammed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's calls Sunday to boycott the residents of Wadi Ara and his assertion they were not part of the State of Israel.
Lieberman's comments came in the wake of the violent rioting in Wadi Ara on Saturday, during which rioters threw stones at police cars and buses in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"Lieberman started his life as a racist, so let him continue his racist politics. We'll ignore him, but we have to stress there is coexistence in Wadi Ara," said Ar'ara resident Melhem Melhem. "Neither Lieberman nor a thousand like him can hurt this coexistence. I hope his term doesn't long for too long. He's causing harm both to the state and its citizens."
Melhem went on to say that "Jews and Arabs will continue living and working alongside each other. This is our shared fate. No one gives any credence to his comments. The sane people in this country won't take his comments seriously."
Taufiq Hassan, who owns a bakery in Ar'ara, echoed Melhem's remarks. "I opened my business in the Wadi Ara area, a lot of Jews come to me. I also live among the Wadi Ara population—Ar'ara, Kafr Qara, Umm al-Fahm—and they're all incredible people who are looking for a good and quiet life. Everyone treats guests excellent."
Raja Samer, another resident of the area, added, "Lieberman's comments won't hurt anything. People here love living together. We don't need to pay any mind to a party leader who tries to spoil the relations between the two peoples. It's not a good sign."
"It is detrimental to the coexistence that has been going on in the region for more than 40 years," said Husam Abbas, one of the owners of the Al-Babor restaurant in Umm al-Fahm. "His statements are appropriate for a punk and not for the defense minister. I do not believe a statement by him will succeed in influencing our customers, it will only influence the extreme right. Everyone was a guest here, from Ariel Sharon to Netanyahu when he was still in the opposition."
And it wasn't just the Israeli Arabs who came out against the defense minister's comments.
"I don't want to boycott the people I see as my friends," said Katzir resident Ricardo Kleinman. "Those who made the mess should pay for it, but not all of Wadi Ara. Especially as I'm welcomed with open arms in Kafr Qara."
Meni, also a resident of Katzir, shared Kleinman's feelings. "Israeli Arabs don't care what city is the capital. This isn't a matter of sanctity, so it shouldn't bother anyone. Yesterday, there was rioting so I tried not to leave the home, but today it's quiet and I came to Kafr Qara to do my shopping," Meni said.
Fellow Katzir resident Yaakov Haziza added, "There's no reason to pay any mind to Lieberman's comments. Each nation and group should develop resistance to inflammatory comments. I live in Wadi Ara, and Lieberman doesn't interest me at all, and neither does Trump. I suggest those who throw stones to also pay it no mind."
At the Aroma Espresso Bar at the Kfar Kara junction, several Jewish residents of the area sat and defended the importance of coexistence. "The moment my neighbor is having a bad time, I will have a bad time," said Hezi, a resident of Katzir.
"They are citizens of the state and they have all the rights as such. I also have clients from the sector and there is no chance that I will change my habits towards them because of Lieberman's statement."
Uri Arieli of Sha'ar HaAmakim also expressed his anger: "The new generation of Israeli Arabs is in favor of rapprochement with the state. Only a small minority was responsible for what happened (on Saturday)."
But despite their optimism, a tour along the Wadi Ara route revealed yesterday the tense atmosphere, characterized by the absence of a Jewish presence in the businesses belonging to residents of the Wadi.
In the morning, Ahmed Mahagna, the owner of a bakery in Wadi Ara, was optimistic and said with a smile: "Just wait; Jews come here every five minutes to buy our baked goods."
But after more than half an hour that no Jewish customer had entered the bakery, he changed his tone and realized that apparently they would not arrive today.
Sabrin Ahmed Mahajna, who works with him, stood behind the orphaned donuts who had remained on the tray since Sunday and waited for the Jewish customers who usually snatch them with delight.
"If both leftists and rightists are attacking me—then apparently I am right," Lieberman responded Sunday to criticism against him.
"I have never seen anyone in Wadi Ara with an Israeli flag. That's why they have to understand that they are not wanted here," he said, adding that Wadi Ara residents should prove they are part of Israel by publically condemning Saturday's protests.
Yedioth photographer meets with Arab leaders after 'near lynch'
Gil Nechushtan, a photographer for Yedioth Ahronoth, was fired up when meeting with public figures from the villages near Wadi Ara.
Nechushtan, who was nearly lynched in the violent protest and was still riled up over the chilling incident, opened the conversation with an angry accusation: "You could have helped and stop the riots in a matter of minutes."
When Nechushtan arrived to cover the demonstration on Saturday evening, dozens of masked men attacked him and wrecked his motorcycle.
"Throughout my years as a photographer I have been caught in countless demonstrations, but none of them prepared me for what happened on Shabbat in the heart of the State of Israel," he wrote after the event.
Four influential figures from the city of Umm al-Fahm arrived at the meeting: Faisal Mahajna, the brother of the acting mayor and a well-known public activist, Kamel Agbaria, former head of the Clalit Medical Clinic in Umm al-Fahm, Dr. Afu Agbaria, a former Hadash MK and current surgeon, and Abdia Abdel Latif, one of the city's veteran mall owners and owner of a chain of furniture stores.
The four listened intently to the photographer describe the difficult experience he had undergone.
"It is important for us to convey a message that the residents of the Wadi are in favor of coexistence. I therefore organized a quiet demonstration on the entrance to the city," said Mahajna.
Abdel Latif said that during the event he was busy at work and therefore did not hear what was happening.
"What happened to Gil is unpleasant, and we strongly condemn it," he said.
"The Arab population is law-abiding," Dr. Agbaria decisively stated. "When there are demonstrations in Amona or by the ultra-Orthodox, the attitude is different. The government is hostile to us even though we are talking about a handful of people. You mustn't slander us all because of a few dozen youths."
He then told Nechushtan that the media is vital to maintaining democracy and therefore it is important that it continue to operate in the region.
They summed up the meeting by condemning the violence, but did not express an apology for the incident and repeated their anger over Trump's declaration and Lieberman's calls for a boycott.
"I expect the leaders of the Arab public to find the rioters and ensure that they are punished," Nechushtan said at the end of the meeting. "I have been on good terms with the sector for years and hope that this is the last time that a media person falls victim to such violence. I expect that the meeting will contribute to mutual understanding and the prevention of violence in the future."
Both Jews and Israeli Arabs slammed Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's calls Sunday to boycott the residents of Wadi Ara and his assertion they were not part of the State of Israel.
Lieberman's comments came in the wake of the violent rioting in Wadi Ara on Saturday, during which rioters threw stones at police cars and buses in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"Lieberman started his life as a racist, so let him continue his racist politics. We'll ignore him, but we have to stress there is coexistence in Wadi Ara," said Ar'ara resident Melhem Melhem. "Neither Lieberman nor a thousand like him can hurt this coexistence. I hope his term doesn't long for too long. He's causing harm both to the state and its citizens."
Melhem went on to say that "Jews and Arabs will continue living and working alongside each other. This is our shared fate. No one gives any credence to his comments. The sane people in this country won't take his comments seriously."
Taufiq Hassan, who owns a bakery in Ar'ara, echoed Melhem's remarks. "I opened my business in the Wadi Ara area, a lot of Jews come to me. I also live among the Wadi Ara population—Ar'ara, Kafr Qara, Umm al-Fahm—and they're all incredible people who are looking for a good and quiet life. Everyone treats guests excellent."
Raja Samer, another resident of the area, added, "Lieberman's comments won't hurt anything. People here love living together. We don't need to pay any mind to a party leader who tries to spoil the relations between the two peoples. It's not a good sign."
"It is detrimental to the coexistence that has been going on in the region for more than 40 years," said Husam Abbas, one of the owners of the Al-Babor restaurant in Umm al-Fahm. "His statements are appropriate for a punk and not for the defense minister. I do not believe a statement by him will succeed in influencing our customers, it will only influence the extreme right. Everyone was a guest here, from Ariel Sharon to Netanyahu when he was still in the opposition."
And it wasn't just the Israeli Arabs who came out against the defense minister's comments.
"I don't want to boycott the people I see as my friends," said Katzir resident Ricardo Kleinman. "Those who made the mess should pay for it, but not all of Wadi Ara. Especially as I'm welcomed with open arms in Kafr Qara."
Meni, also a resident of Katzir, shared Kleinman's feelings. "Israeli Arabs don't care what city is the capital. This isn't a matter of sanctity, so it shouldn't bother anyone. Yesterday, there was rioting so I tried not to leave the home, but today it's quiet and I came to Kafr Qara to do my shopping," Meni said.
Fellow Katzir resident Yaakov Haziza added, "There's no reason to pay any mind to Lieberman's comments. Each nation and group should develop resistance to inflammatory comments. I live in Wadi Ara, and Lieberman doesn't interest me at all, and neither does Trump. I suggest those who throw stones to also pay it no mind."
At the Aroma Espresso Bar at the Kfar Kara junction, several Jewish residents of the area sat and defended the importance of coexistence. "The moment my neighbor is having a bad time, I will have a bad time," said Hezi, a resident of Katzir.
"They are citizens of the state and they have all the rights as such. I also have clients from the sector and there is no chance that I will change my habits towards them because of Lieberman's statement."
Uri Arieli of Sha'ar HaAmakim also expressed his anger: "The new generation of Israeli Arabs is in favor of rapprochement with the state. Only a small minority was responsible for what happened (on Saturday)."
But despite their optimism, a tour along the Wadi Ara route revealed yesterday the tense atmosphere, characterized by the absence of a Jewish presence in the businesses belonging to residents of the Wadi.
In the morning, Ahmed Mahagna, the owner of a bakery in Wadi Ara, was optimistic and said with a smile: "Just wait; Jews come here every five minutes to buy our baked goods."
But after more than half an hour that no Jewish customer had entered the bakery, he changed his tone and realized that apparently they would not arrive today.
Sabrin Ahmed Mahajna, who works with him, stood behind the orphaned donuts who had remained on the tray since Sunday and waited for the Jewish customers who usually snatch them with delight.
"If both leftists and rightists are attacking me—then apparently I am right," Lieberman responded Sunday to criticism against him.
"I have never seen anyone in Wadi Ara with an Israeli flag. That's why they have to understand that they are not wanted here," he said, adding that Wadi Ara residents should prove they are part of Israel by publically condemning Saturday's protests.
Yedioth photographer meets with Arab leaders after 'near lynch'
Gil Nechushtan, a photographer for Yedioth Ahronoth, was fired up when meeting with public figures from the villages near Wadi Ara.
Nechushtan, who was nearly lynched in the violent protest and was still riled up over the chilling incident, opened the conversation with an angry accusation: "You could have helped and stop the riots in a matter of minutes."
When Nechushtan arrived to cover the demonstration on Saturday evening, dozens of masked men attacked him and wrecked his motorcycle.
"Throughout my years as a photographer I have been caught in countless demonstrations, but none of them prepared me for what happened on Shabbat in the heart of the State of Israel," he wrote after the event.
Four influential figures from the city of Umm al-Fahm arrived at the meeting: Faisal Mahajna, the brother of the acting mayor and a well-known public activist, Kamel Agbaria, former head of the Clalit Medical Clinic in Umm al-Fahm, Dr. Afu Agbaria, a former Hadash MK and current surgeon, and Abdia Abdel Latif, one of the city's veteran mall owners and owner of a chain of furniture stores.
The four listened intently to the photographer describe the difficult experience he had undergone.
"It is important for us to convey a message that the residents of the Wadi are in favor of coexistence. I therefore organized a quiet demonstration on the entrance to the city," said Mahajna.
Abdel Latif said that during the event he was busy at work and therefore did not hear what was happening.
"What happened to Gil is unpleasant, and we strongly condemn it," he said.
"The Arab population is law-abiding," Dr. Agbaria decisively stated. "When there are demonstrations in Amona or by the ultra-Orthodox, the attitude is different. The government is hostile to us even though we are talking about a handful of people. You mustn't slander us all because of a few dozen youths."
He then told Nechushtan that the media is vital to maintaining democracy and therefore it is important that it continue to operate in the region.
They summed up the meeting by condemning the violence, but did not express an apology for the incident and repeated their anger over Trump's declaration and Lieberman's calls for a boycott.
"I expect the leaders of the Arab public to find the rioters and ensure that they are punished," Nechushtan said at the end of the meeting. "I have been on good terms with the sector for years and hope that this is the last time that a media person falls victim to such violence. I expect that the meeting will contribute to mutual understanding and the prevention of violence in the future."
Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haneyya, on Monday said that the US Jerusalem move constitutes an aggression on the Palestinian people and the entire Muslim nation.
In a phone call with the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Haneyya stressed that the US decision must be countered through achieving unity on the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic levels, hoping that the Islamic summit to be held in Turkey on Wednesday will yield concrete and strong decisions.
Haneyya also praised Iran's continued support for the Palestinian people and their just cause.
For his part, president Rouhani confirmed his country's rejection of the US decision, affirming that Iran will stand by the Palestinian people with all its capabilities until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
He added that Iran will spare no effort to make the Turkey summit succeed and help make decisions that back the Islamic right in Palestine and Jerusalem.
In a phone call with the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, Haneyya stressed that the US decision must be countered through achieving unity on the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic levels, hoping that the Islamic summit to be held in Turkey on Wednesday will yield concrete and strong decisions.
Haneyya also praised Iran's continued support for the Palestinian people and their just cause.
For his part, president Rouhani confirmed his country's rejection of the US decision, affirming that Iran will stand by the Palestinian people with all its capabilities until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
He added that Iran will spare no effort to make the Turkey summit succeed and help make decisions that back the Islamic right in Palestine and Jerusalem.
A group of Palestinian academicians launched a national initiative demanding Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas not to meet the US Vice President Mike Pence who is expected to visit the West Bank and Israel next week.
The academic Adnan Abu Amer, Head of Political Science Department at al-Ummah University in Gaza, told the PIC reporter that the initiative came in response to the US President Donald Trump’s decision to recolonize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and accordingly to move the US embassy to the holy city.
Abu Amer, one of prominent figures who launched the initiative, affirmed that 1,000 signatures were collected from Palestinian academicians in the West Bank, Gaza, Occupied Jerusalem, 1948 Occupied Palestine and diaspora in addition to Gulf countries.
The initiative will be submitted to the office of PA President Mahmoud Abbas next week, Abu Amer concluded.
The academic Adnan Abu Amer, Head of Political Science Department at al-Ummah University in Gaza, told the PIC reporter that the initiative came in response to the US President Donald Trump’s decision to recolonize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and accordingly to move the US embassy to the holy city.
Abu Amer, one of prominent figures who launched the initiative, affirmed that 1,000 signatures were collected from Palestinian academicians in the West Bank, Gaza, Occupied Jerusalem, 1948 Occupied Palestine and diaspora in addition to Gulf countries.
The initiative will be submitted to the office of PA President Mahmoud Abbas next week, Abu Amer concluded.
Representatives from the People's National Assembly and a group of Algerian youths on Monday met with the US ambassador to Algeria, John Desrocher, to show protest at the US declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
A statement released by the Movement of Society for Peace revealed that the Algerian MPs discussed with the US ambassador the possible serious repercussions of this decision.
The Movement described the decision as a "declaration of war" on the Arab and Muslim nations, adding that it constitutes a blatant disregard for the feelings of Muslims round the world and does not leave any choice for the Palestinian people rather than resistance.
The statement underlined that this decision, which unmasks the US biased policy, means recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, ignoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and undermining the efforts to find a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict.
The Algerian MPs asked the US administration to backtrack on its decision, abide by the international resolutions, and recognize the Palestinian people's right to self-determination by all legitimate means including resistance in all its forms.
Over the past few days Algeria has witnessed many mass demonstrations supporting the Palestinian cause and protesting the latest US declaration.
The US president Donald Trump on Wednesday officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and talked about his plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. The decision has received widespread condemnation especially on the Arab and Islamic level.
The Egyptian capital of Cairo is set to host on Monday a trilateral summit between the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II and the Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss ways to counter Trump's move.
The summit comes one day after the Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo to discuss at the decision.
Another summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is scheduled to be held in Istanbul next Wednesday on the same issue.
A statement released by the Movement of Society for Peace revealed that the Algerian MPs discussed with the US ambassador the possible serious repercussions of this decision.
The Movement described the decision as a "declaration of war" on the Arab and Muslim nations, adding that it constitutes a blatant disregard for the feelings of Muslims round the world and does not leave any choice for the Palestinian people rather than resistance.
The statement underlined that this decision, which unmasks the US biased policy, means recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, ignoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and undermining the efforts to find a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict.
The Algerian MPs asked the US administration to backtrack on its decision, abide by the international resolutions, and recognize the Palestinian people's right to self-determination by all legitimate means including resistance in all its forms.
Over the past few days Algeria has witnessed many mass demonstrations supporting the Palestinian cause and protesting the latest US declaration.
The US president Donald Trump on Wednesday officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and talked about his plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. The decision has received widespread condemnation especially on the Arab and Islamic level.
The Egyptian capital of Cairo is set to host on Monday a trilateral summit between the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordanian King Abdullah II and the Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss ways to counter Trump's move.
The summit comes one day after the Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo to discuss at the decision.
Another summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation is scheduled to be held in Istanbul next Wednesday on the same issue.
Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher and head of Jerusalem's Supreme Islamic Council, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, on Monday described the US president Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there as a "declaration of war".
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sabri asserted that the protests seen recently across the world against the US move indicate that Jerusalem "does not belong to Palestinians only but to all Muslims".
He went on to urge Palestinians and the people of Occupied Jerusalem to defend the holy city at all costs saying that "the US arrogance" will not achieve anything.
He added that there is no room now for negotiations or any kind of peace process because the US has already decided its position on Jerusalem contradicting itself and choosing war.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sabri asserted that the protests seen recently across the world against the US move indicate that Jerusalem "does not belong to Palestinians only but to all Muslims".
He went on to urge Palestinians and the people of Occupied Jerusalem to defend the holy city at all costs saying that "the US arrogance" will not achieve anything.
He added that there is no room now for negotiations or any kind of peace process because the US has already decided its position on Jerusalem contradicting itself and choosing war.
Celtic fans unfurled a banner saying “Jerusalem is Palestine F**k Trump” after the U.S. President’s Jerusalem declaration, despite the fines levied on the Scottish club last year by UEFA for political statements.
During a match at Edinburgh’s Easter Road stadium, Celtic football clubs’ supporters showed their displeasure with Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, by raising a pair of banners before kick-off.
The banners read “Jerusalem is Palestine F**k Trump.”
Last year, the fans’ display of the Palestinian flag during a UEFA match against an Israeli team got the club fined £82,000. In response, the fans decided to raise an amount equal to the fine, not for the club, but for Palestinian refugees. So with a target of £82,000, the fans raised over £160,000 for Palestine.
Palestinian refugees at a camp in Bethlehem, in response to the solidarity shown by the Celtic fans, decided to raise money to pay the fine imposed on the club.
The stunt by Celtic supporters comes after furious protests swept the Middle East following a speech by President Trump officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The historic announcement has been likened to “opening the gates of hell.” World leaders and allies condemned the move as protesters took to the streets from Palestine to Europe.
During a match at Edinburgh’s Easter Road stadium, Celtic football clubs’ supporters showed their displeasure with Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, by raising a pair of banners before kick-off.
The banners read “Jerusalem is Palestine F**k Trump.”
Last year, the fans’ display of the Palestinian flag during a UEFA match against an Israeli team got the club fined £82,000. In response, the fans decided to raise an amount equal to the fine, not for the club, but for Palestinian refugees. So with a target of £82,000, the fans raised over £160,000 for Palestine.
Palestinian refugees at a camp in Bethlehem, in response to the solidarity shown by the Celtic fans, decided to raise money to pay the fine imposed on the club.
The stunt by Celtic supporters comes after furious protests swept the Middle East following a speech by President Trump officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The historic announcement has been likened to “opening the gates of hell.” World leaders and allies condemned the move as protesters took to the streets from Palestine to Europe.
A one million-person march is slated to be held across the blockaded Gaza Strip on Friday to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
According to the National and Islamic Factions’ Follow-Up Committee, mass-demos will be held simultaneously in all Gaza provinces, from Rafah to Beit Hanun.
The committee called on the Palestinians to join the march right after Friday’s noon prayers, at around 12:30 a.m., and to raise the Palestinian flag.
The march comes as part of underway protest moves staged across the occupied Palestinian territories and overseas to speak out against Trump’s Wednesday declaration that Occupied Jerusalem is the capital of self-proclaimed Israeli state, overturning the U.S.-brokered peace process and signaling a green light for altering the long-held status quo in the city—home to Muslims’ third holiest site, al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to the National and Islamic Factions’ Follow-Up Committee, mass-demos will be held simultaneously in all Gaza provinces, from Rafah to Beit Hanun.
The committee called on the Palestinians to join the march right after Friday’s noon prayers, at around 12:30 a.m., and to raise the Palestinian flag.
The march comes as part of underway protest moves staged across the occupied Palestinian territories and overseas to speak out against Trump’s Wednesday declaration that Occupied Jerusalem is the capital of self-proclaimed Israeli state, overturning the U.S.-brokered peace process and signaling a green light for altering the long-held status quo in the city—home to Muslims’ third holiest site, al-Aqsa Mosque.
Christian Palestinians, along with Muslims, held a protest in front of the historic Church of the Nativity, after Sunday prayers, to express their rejection of US president Donald Trump’s decision to consider Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel.
The protesters assured that they would not meet with Trump’s second in command, Vice President Mike Pence, because of the US administration’s pro-Israel positions.
Participants raised Palestinian flags and slogans, in both English and Arabic, denouncing the decision on Jerusalem and warning against the vice president’s visit to the city.
George Zina, who spoke on behalf of Palestinian factions, the Follow–Up Christian Committee, and Christian institutions in Bethlehem, stressed the popular position which rejects the visit to the city, which carries for them a meaning of war and aggression.
Zina added that Trump’s decision harms both Palestinian Christians and Muslims, and that the US president has no right to forget the religious and historical significance of the city, or its indigenous inhabitants.
He stressed that the decision is in violation of international laws and conventions, and will not change the Christian and Islamic reality of the city.
He called on the international community to challenge this arrogance, and to pressure Trump to withdraw his decision, adding that the Christians of the city are not welcoming of the visit, either.
Fateh Revolutionary Council member Mohammed Lahham also called for not receiving the vice president in Bethlehem.
He said: “We will receive [the] US vice president with shoes and more.”
He said that Pence was unwelcome and would be expelled from the city.
On Thursday, senior Fateh official Jibril Rajoub said that Pence was unwelcome in Palestine.
“In the name of Fateh, I say that we will not welcome Trump’s deputy in the Palestinian Territories.
“He asked to meet (Abbas) on the 19th of this month, in Bethlehem; such a meeting will not take place,” Jibril Rajoub stated.
In response to the reports of Palestinians not welcoming Mike Pence, a spokesperson for the vice president said that, by refusing to meet the latter during his upcoming trip to the region, the Palestinian Authority (PA) was turning its back on a dialogue about the future of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Pence is expected to visit the region later this month. He is set to travel to Israel and to the West Bank city of Bethlehem, PNN reports.
It was not clear what Rajoub’s remarks meant for the West Bank portion of Pence’s trip, but Politico recently reported that Pence “still intends to meet with Abbas and Palestinian leaders and thinks any decision to pull out of the meeting would be counterproductive,” according to a White House official.
The protesters assured that they would not meet with Trump’s second in command, Vice President Mike Pence, because of the US administration’s pro-Israel positions.
Participants raised Palestinian flags and slogans, in both English and Arabic, denouncing the decision on Jerusalem and warning against the vice president’s visit to the city.
George Zina, who spoke on behalf of Palestinian factions, the Follow–Up Christian Committee, and Christian institutions in Bethlehem, stressed the popular position which rejects the visit to the city, which carries for them a meaning of war and aggression.
Zina added that Trump’s decision harms both Palestinian Christians and Muslims, and that the US president has no right to forget the religious and historical significance of the city, or its indigenous inhabitants.
He stressed that the decision is in violation of international laws and conventions, and will not change the Christian and Islamic reality of the city.
He called on the international community to challenge this arrogance, and to pressure Trump to withdraw his decision, adding that the Christians of the city are not welcoming of the visit, either.
Fateh Revolutionary Council member Mohammed Lahham also called for not receiving the vice president in Bethlehem.
He said: “We will receive [the] US vice president with shoes and more.”
He said that Pence was unwelcome and would be expelled from the city.
On Thursday, senior Fateh official Jibril Rajoub said that Pence was unwelcome in Palestine.
“In the name of Fateh, I say that we will not welcome Trump’s deputy in the Palestinian Territories.
“He asked to meet (Abbas) on the 19th of this month, in Bethlehem; such a meeting will not take place,” Jibril Rajoub stated.
In response to the reports of Palestinians not welcoming Mike Pence, a spokesperson for the vice president said that, by refusing to meet the latter during his upcoming trip to the region, the Palestinian Authority (PA) was turning its back on a dialogue about the future of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Pence is expected to visit the region later this month. He is set to travel to Israel and to the West Bank city of Bethlehem, PNN reports.
It was not clear what Rajoub’s remarks meant for the West Bank portion of Pence’s trip, but Politico recently reported that Pence “still intends to meet with Abbas and Palestinian leaders and thinks any decision to pull out of the meeting would be counterproductive,” according to a White House official.
Palestinians and pro-Palestine activists worldwide continued their protests against US American President Donald Trump’s recognition that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.
Days of Palestine reports that hundreds staged a protest in Paris against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to France on Sunday.
Protestors carried Palestinian flags and photos of French President Emmanuel Macron, marked “accomplice” for hosting Netanyahu following Trump’s decision.
Thousands protested outside the US Embassy in the Indonesian capital on Sunday, against Trump’s decision, many waving banners saying “Palestine is in our hearts.”
Leaders in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, have joined a global chorus of condemnation of Trump’s announcement, including Western allies who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks sparking more violence.
In Canada, hundreds marched from the US Embassy to the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa, calling on Canada to put more pressure on Trump to reverse his controversial declaration.
Several Western, Asian and African capitals witnesses thousands of protesters taking to the streets against the decision.
Days of Palestine reports that hundreds staged a protest in Paris against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to France on Sunday.
Protestors carried Palestinian flags and photos of French President Emmanuel Macron, marked “accomplice” for hosting Netanyahu following Trump’s decision.
Thousands protested outside the US Embassy in the Indonesian capital on Sunday, against Trump’s decision, many waving banners saying “Palestine is in our hearts.”
Leaders in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, have joined a global chorus of condemnation of Trump’s announcement, including Western allies who say it is a blow to peace efforts and risks sparking more violence.
In Canada, hundreds marched from the US Embassy to the Israeli Embassy in Ottawa, calling on Canada to put more pressure on Trump to reverse his controversial declaration.
Several Western, Asian and African capitals witnesses thousands of protesters taking to the streets against the decision.
