News
Statement by PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Saeb Erekat on the Formation of the new Israeli Government
With the dust beginning to settle on the new Israeli coalition government, the face of a new form of racist, discriminatory Israel has been revealed. Benjamin Netanyahu vehemently leading the charge to bury the two state solution and impose a perpetual Apartheid regime, Neftali Bennet a new minister boasting the murder of Palestinians, and the new Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, openly calling on the genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
Dr. Ashrawi: “Such a coalition betrays the true nature of the Israeli political system and promotes an anti-peace agenda and the language of racism, extremism and violence”
PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi stated:
“Such a coalition betrays the true nature of the Israeli political system and promotes an anti-peace agenda and the language of racism, extremism and violence; it will further increase the isolation and deligitimization of Israel.
In addition to the extremism in the Likud and the ideologies of the religious parties, the Jewish Home Party, which now has control of the Israeli Civil Administration and the Security Cabinet, represents the most extreme and racist elements within Israeli society.
Palestinian Investors' Conference in the Homeland and the Diaspora, May 4th 2015
The Palestine Investors' Conference in the Homeland and the Diaspora took place in Ramallah May 4, 2015 with the aim to promote investment in the state of Palestine by Palestinians living in the diaspora. The conference that was organizes by the Palestine International Business Forum, was attended by dozens of Palestinian businessmen living both in the occupied territories and abroad.
Statement by UNRWA Spokesperson, Chris Gunness : Former Head of Israeli Army Makes False Allegation Against UNRWA
05 May 2015
Jerusalem
The head of the Israeli army during the summer war in Gaza has made the allegation that a weapon fired from an UNRWA school in Gaza killed an Israeli child in a kibbutz in southern Israel. This allegation was made by the Israeli Army in August 2014. However, it is false. Less than 2 hours after it was first made by the Israeli army, the Israeli army itself officially retracted the claim and issued a correction through the Twitter account of its Spokesperson (see “screen cap below). It is extremely disappointing that a former head of the Israeli army should repeat an allegation publicly retracted by his own spokesperson. It is unfortunate and creates a hostile environment for humanitarian agencies. Officials should ensure accuracy of their public statements.
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPOINTS ROBERT PIPER OF AUSTRALIA AS DEPUTY SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS
United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Robert Piper of Australia as Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, at the level of Assistant Secretary-General. Mr. Piper will also serve as United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
1. Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr.Riad Al-Malki Visits New Zealand
The Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister made a successful two-day visit to New Zealand from 30 April to 2 May 2015 to conduct talks with New Zealand officials, in particular the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Murray McCully. The meetings proved to be a success, with McCully informing Al-Malki of the desire of New Zealand to propose a resolution in the Security Council that would end Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation in the Yarmouk camp
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the shelling and aerial bombardment of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus on 28 April despite assurances from the Syrian Government that the camp would not be attacked while civilians remained inside. Thousands of civilians in the camp are besieged by terrorist and other armed groups on the inside and Government forces on the outside.
NEW TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR LABOR MPs
NSW Labor leader Luke Foley announced yesterday that any Labor MPs receiving assisted travel to Israel would be expected to spend an equivalent time in the West Bank and/or Gaza to hear the case of the Palestinians.
"Labor believes in a two-state solution. A two-state solution must be built on understanding the perspective of two peoples".
H.E President Abbas: It’s Time for Palestine
Op-Ed by H.E President Mahmoud Abbas “It’s Time for Palestine” published in the Spring 2015 Edition of Horizons Magazine.
(http://www.cirsd.org/magazines).
Israel responsible for Gaza strikes on UN schools and shelters, inquiry finds
Israel was responsible for striking seven United Nations sites used as civilian shelters during the 2014 Gaza war in which 44 Palestinians died and 227 others were injured, an inquiry ordered by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has concluded.