Embassy of the State of Palestine

Following the Israeli government’s approval of thousands of new settlement units in the Occupied State of Palestine, PLO Executive Committee Member and head of the Palestinian negotiations team Dr. Saeb Erekat stated:

The Israeli government is celebrating 47 years of occupation and war crimes with the approval of thousands of new settlement units in the Occupied State of Palestine. Because the international community has not moved forcefully enough to stop illegal settlement activity, the government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu has reaffirmed its intent to challenge international law and international peace efforts by further colonizing our occupied country. This time Israel is using Palestinian national unity, a step welcomed by the international community, as their excuse to continue the colonization of Palestine.

PLO Executive Committee, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi condemned the announcement of 1,500 new settlement units in and around Jerusalem in the strongest terms:

“Israel’s latest announcement of tenders for 1,500 settlement units is not part new of a new strategy; this constitutes a deliberate and systematic policy that aims to rob the Palestinians of their land and ethnically cleanse them from historical Palestine.”

identical letters sent today by Ambassador Dr. Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, to the UN Secretary-General, President of the Security Council (Russian Federation) and President of the General Assembly on the 47th year of Israeli occupation, Israel's colonial settlement campaign, and the critical situation of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons.

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- "Today, with the formation of a national consensus government, we announce the end of a Palestinian division that has greatly damaged our national case," Abbas said at his Ramallah headquarters after the new cabinet was sworn in.
President Abbas has pledged that the new administration will abide by the principles laid down by the Middle East peace Quartet: Recognize Israel, reject violence and abide by all existing agreements.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday the U.S. would judge the new government between Fatah and Hamas by its actions, including its commitment to nonviolence and recognition of Israel.

"We intend to work with this government, but will be watching closely to make sure it upholds the principles that President Abbas reiterated today," she said.

Psaki said the United States would continue to disperse U.S. foreign assistance to the government but would continue to "evaluate the policies and positions of the new government."

PLO Executive Committee member and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Dr. Ashrawi stressed:

“More than 100 of the prisoners who began their hunger strike on April 24 have been hospitalized, and their health conditions are deteriorating rapidly.”

Dr. Ashrawi added, “The deafening silence from the international media and some official circles regarding the hundreds of Palestinian prisoner hunger strikers is inexcusable.”

“With 2014 as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we call on all states, members of the press, and people of conscience to pressure Israel to drop its cruel and illegal use of the colonial practice of administrative detention and other administrative punitive measures and form an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate the severe and illegal violations committed by the IPS.”

Palestine have made history by securing their first ever spot at the AFC
Asian Cup after defeating the Philippines 1-0 in the final of the AFC
Challenge Cup.

The Palestinians secured the 16th and final berth at Asia's biggest
football tournament through a second half free-kick from the tournament’s
leading scorer, Ashraf Al Fawaghra, to slot into Group D of the 2015
competition to be held in Australia.

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) – All Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike in Israeli custody since April 24 have been evacuated to hospitals after their health deteriorated seriously, a lawyer said.
Over 200 Palestinian prisoners are currently on hunger strike in Israeli jails in solidarity with dozens of administrative detainees who have been refusing meals since April 24.

Strikers are demanding Israel stop imprisoning Palestinians without charge or trial in a procedure known as "administrative detention," a policy based on legislation from the British Mandate period

Housing Minister Uri Ariel said on the eve of Jerusalem Day that there won't be any more freezes on construction in Jerusalem or the West Bank.

'We will not come to terms with the delays and restrictions [on construction] in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and we will continue to build in all parts of our land,' Ariel said at a Jerusalem Day ceremony at Mercaz Harav Yeshiva on Tuesday night.
'Jerusalem will never again be divided. Between the Jordan River and the sea, there will be only one state –the State of Israel,' Ariel said."

Israel on Monday approved plans for 50 new settler homes in annexed East Jerusalem as Pope Francis wrapped up a visit to the region, city officials said.
"The municipality has given the green light to build 50 new housing units in five buildings in Har Homa," city Councillor Yosef Pepe Alalu told AFP