DOCSLIB.ORG

Jmcc Press Summary

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

JMCC DAILY PRESS SUMMARY POBOX 25047 * EAST JERUSALEM * TEL (02) 5838266 * FAX (02) 5836837 Monday, 12 January 2009 Vol. 16 Number 4575 18 Pages January 12, 2009 (First Part) FRONT PAGE_____________________________________________ PRESIDENT ABBAS DISCUSSES WITH THE JORDANIAN KING THE EFFORTS EXERTED TOWARDS A CEASEFIRE Palestinian President Abbas discussed with the Jordanian King yesterday the efforts exerted at the Arab and international fronts to reach a ceasefire. King Abdullah II was quoted saying that Israel has to abide by the UN Security Council resolution 1860, stop its aggression on Gaza, lift the siege imposed on the Palestinian people, and allow the entry of humanitarian and medical assistance. (al-Quds) ABED RABBO: HAMAS HAS BEEN GIVEN 24 HOURS TO AGREE TO THE EGYPTIAN INITIATIVE PLO Executive Committee Secretary Yasser Abed Rabbo revealed that the Egyptian leadership gave Hamas 24 hours to respond to the Egyptian initiative; the 24-hour ultimatum came after Hamas expressed reservations on the initiative. He affirmed that the PA believes that implementing the Egyptian initiative is a victory over the Israeli aggression against Gaza Strip and that any stalling will give the occupation justification to continue with the aggression and bloodshed. (www.alquds.com) HAMAS DELEGATION ENDS ITS TALKS IN CAIRO WITHOUT REACHING AN AGREEMENT MANY DETAILS IMPEDE AGREEMENT ON EGYPTIAN INITIATIVE Hamas delegation left Cairo yesterday to hold consultations with regards to the Egyptian initiative and to give the Egyptian side time to give its response to Hamas reservations before the movement gives its final response. A Hamas leading figure revealed that Hamas rejected an Egyptian offer for a long-term truce with Israel; he affirmed that there are many details that need to be discussed before we can say that we reached an agreement in principle. Hamas figures Imad al-Alami and Ayman Taha remained in Cairo waiting for the other members of the delegation who left to Damascus for consultations. A Hamas source said the meeting with Omar Suleiman lasted two hours yesterday and the long term truce is among the outstanding issues that Hamas expresses reservations against and need careful and detailed discussion, wondering why not have a six- month truce or truce for one year? Other reservations include the issue of presence of international troops in Gaza Strip and the issue related to the Israeli withdrawal because it is not clear what is meant by withdrawal: Will it be complete withdrawal or Israel maintaining control points and strategic areas and setting up a time framework to test the conduct of Hamas? And there are no guarantees to achieve this if Hamas stops rocket firing. Some unclear points also include the Monday, 12 January 2009 2 JMCC DAILY PRESS SUMMARY arrangements to operate the crossings and mechanism to operate them and the promise not to allow arms smuggling. He pointed out that the resistance doesn’t import weapons in a legal manner in order to make a commitment on this matter. He explained: Hamas wants to improve the conditions of the initiative and to see it become an integrated paper to be implemented in parallel and not through gradual steps without a specific mechanism or time ceiling. He added that the clause related to national reconciliation is not clear and needs further details and the initiative talks about the PLO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people; he wondered: is recognizing the PLO and its commitments a condition to achieve the clause on national reconciliation? (al-Hayat) HEADLINES ____________________________________________ * Paltel group maintains the steadfastness of telecommunications network in Gaza Strip. (al- Quds) * The sixteenth day of the aggression: 900 martyrs and more than 4,000 injuries. Gaza is under the hell of raids and the phosphorus burning bombs cause more casualties. (Al-Quds) * Israeli officials: The aggression on Gaza Strip achieved its goals and ending it is soon. (Al- Quds) * During the 3rd meeting of the Higher Committee for Gaza Relief, Dr. Fayyad: The donations will be deducted from the taxable income. Ramallah and al-Bireh Committee demands coordinating efforts and marches. (al-Quds) * Gaza residents: the Israeli troops are disguised in Hamas men uniform. (al-Quds) * 25,000 citizens have sought refuge at UNRWA schools fleeing from the Israeli shelling. (al- Quds) * The Israeli three-hour truce included artillery shelling. (Al-Quds) * Obama promises to act quickly on the Middle East and Iranian nuclear file issues. (Al-Quds) * Administration of Obama might hold direct talks with Hamas. (Al-Quds) * New York Times: Bush’s government rejects an Israeli plan to attack Iranian Natanz nuclear plant. (Al-Quds) * Early this dawn: Israel decides to continue and expand the aggression and Amos Gilad will not travel to Cairo today. (Al-Ayyam) * Heavy shelling on the city of Gaza in preparation for invading it. (Al-Ayyam) * 54 martyrs yesterday, including 28 children, and 440 injuries. (Al-Ayyam) * The occupation troops conduct training on incursion of Gaza city. (Al-Ayyam) * Israeli reinforcements from reserve units into Gaza Strip. (Al-Ayyam) * Qassam announces targeting occupation helicopters and the factions continue to fire rockets towards Israeli towns. (Al-Ayyam) * An Israeli plan to occupy regions in Gaza Strip (especially on the borders with Egypt) for specific period. Olmert talks about the aggression to end soon. (Al-Ayyam) * Three Egyptian policemen and two children injured in Israeli shelling on Palestinian Rafah. (Al- Ayyam) * Amro Musa: Consultations to hold a new meeting for the Arab FMs. (Al-Ayyam) * Gunfire shooting from Syria towards Israeli soldiers in the Golan. (Al-Ayyam) * President Abbas discusses with Jordanian King the efforts exerted to reach a ceasefire. (Al- Ayyam) * Obama: We are preparing a working team to start working from the first day on the Middle East peace process in order to set up an approach that meets the aspirations of the Palestinians and Israelis. (Al-Ayyam) Monday, 12 January 2009 3 JMCC DAILY PRESS SUMMARY * Egypt intensifies efforts towards a ceasefire and Israel raises doubts on the efficiency of an international force. The Israeli officials focus on the tunnels. (Al-Ayyam) * Israel claims: Hamas leaders hide in headquarters of foreign missions. (Al-Ayyam) * The UNRWA: new Palestinians joined the people who sought refuge at the UNRWA schools. (Al-Ayyam) * Israel claims: Hamas leaders hide in headquarters of foreign missions. (Al-Hayat al-Jadida) * Israel reinforces its troops and talks about the aggression coming to an end soon. (Al-Hayat al-Jadida) * An Israeli court remands Shaheen and Sarhan, reporters of al-Alam TV station. (Al-Hayat al- Jadida) * Qatar rules out closing the Israeli commercial representative office as an individual step. Qatar requests holding an emergency meeting for the Arab FMs. (Al-Hayat al-Jadida) FRONT PAGE PHOTOS _________________________________ Al-Quds: A citizen carrying an injured baby who was hit by the Israeli shelling in Gaza yesterday. Al-Ayyam: 1) A citizen receiving medical treatment after suffering serious burns when the occupation troops used internationally banned white phosphorus in its shelling against the residential areas in Khan Yunis; 2) Citizens seeking refuge at UNRWA school in Jabalia Camp running away from the Israeli shelling. Al-Hayat al-Jadida: 1) Smoke coming out as a phosphorus bomb falls on Jabalia yesterday; 2) President Abbas and Jordanian King during their meeting in Amman yesterday. NEWS___________________________________________________ Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza Reuters Two Egyptian children and two police officers were wounded by shrapnel from Israel Air Force bombs near a crossing point at Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip on Sunday, security sources said. The children, aged two and five, and the two officers were the first Egyptians to be wounded by Israeli bombs since the Israeli offensive against Gaza began on Dec. 27, and were taken to hospitals in el- Arish. There were no details of the gravity of their wounds. Witnesses said Egyptian houses near the border and government offices at the crossing were damaged by shrapnel on Sunday. Israel has expanded its air campaign to the southern Gaza Strip, aiming at smuggling tunnels running under the border with Egypt. One Egyptian border guard has been killed and two have been wounded in clashes with Palestinians trying to enter Egypt since the Israeli offensive began. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza since the beginning of the offensive stands at 874, many of them civilians, Gaza medical officials said. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians have also been killed in the conflict. Earlier Sunday, witnesses said that Israel Air Force warplanes have been flying over Egyptian territory during their bombing runs along the border between Gaza and Egypt. The witnesses, who have spent many hours close to the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and Gaza, said they had seen the Israeli planes fly over on several occasions, often at such low altitude that it was clear they were over Egyptian territory. Israeli planes have been bombing on the Gaza side of the border, within a few hundreds of meters of Egypt, targeting tunnels which Israel says the Islamist movement Hamas uses for smuggling weapons into Gaza. The three witnesses said they wanted to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the matter. Monday, 12 January 2009 4 JMCC DAILY PRESS SUMMARY The Egyptian government has faced a barrage of criticism for cooperating with Israel in the blockade of Gaza over the past six months. Israeli and Egyptian Defense Ministry officials either were unavailable or had no comment on the reports, and it was not clear if Israel was giving Egypt any warning of the flights. Under the peace treaty which Egypt and Israel signed in 1979, Israel has the right to fly combat planes up to the international border, while Egyptian combat planes cannot fly east of a zone which covers roughly the western third of the Sinai peninsula.
Recommended publications
  • ANNUAL REPORT Annual Report Index

    ANNUAL REPORT Annual Report Index

    ANNUAL REPORT Annual Report Index 11 About PIF Message from the 12 Governance President of the State of Palestine 04 14 Board of Directors 18 General Assembly Chairman’s Message 22 Investment Portfolios 06 56 Palestine for Development Foundation 60 Financial Statements Palestine Investment Fund 4 Annual Report 2016 5 The last 10 years bear witness to PIF’s re- markable growth and its role in building the foundations of an independent national econ- omy for the independent Palestinian state. In 2016, PIF delivered another year of stellar per- formance, which included laying the cornerstone for the Palestine Cement Plant, inaugurating the Jenin Power Plant, implementing youth employ- ment programs, as well as achieving remarkable progress in the fields of health, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, real estate and renewable energy, and others. PIF is a source of pride for all Palestinians, with its commitment to the highest levels of integrity, trans- parency and good governance. I cannot but express my sincere appreciation to PIF, represented by its Chairman, members of the Board of Directors and General Assembly, executive manage- ment and staff. I wish PIF continued success in its efforts to build the economy of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Yours, Mahmoud Abbas President of the State of Palestine Palestine Investment Fund 6 Annual Report 2016 7 Chairman’s Message Dr. Mohammad Mustafa Chairman of the Board The Palestinian economy remains stunted by the Israeli occupation and its unjust policies. Rampant settlement expansion, restricted access to our natural resources, and restricting the freedom of movement Al Bireh, Qalqilia and Tubas to construct solar power empowerment of JDECO as it is the largest operating of people and goods have left the Palestinian economy in a fragile state.
  • Developing a Business Performance Management Model for Paltel Group - Palestine

    Developing a Business Performance Management Model for Paltel Group - Palestine

    An-Najah National University Faculty of Graduate Studies Developing A Business Performance Management Model For Paltel Group - Palestine By Ahmad Hasan Maharma Supervisor Dr. Yahya Saleh This Thesis is Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master in Engineering Management, Faculty of Graduate Studies, An-Najah National University, Nablus-Palestine 2014 iii Acknowledgement First and foremost I offer my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Yahya Saleh, who has supported me throughout my thesis with his patience and knowledge. I attribute the level of my Master degree to his encouragement and without him this thesis would not have been completed or written. I would like to thank the thesis examiner committee members: Dr. Yahya Saleh, Dr. Abdelbaset Rabaiah, and Dr. Sameh Atout, for their time, insightful comments, and valuable questions which highly contribute thesis quality. Also, I would like to thank the faculty at An-Najah National University in general and department of Engineering Management in specific for the full support and facilities I have needed to produce and complete my thesis. My greatest appreciation goes to Paltel Group for the outstanding support and amenities to accomplish this research. The success of this study required the help of various individuals. Without them, the researcher might not be able to meet their objectives in this study. The researcher want to give gratitude to the following people for their invaluable help and support, my father and mother, brothers Mohammad, Khaled, Belal, my sisters, and my friends. I gratefully acknowledge Mais as she inspires me and bright my world.
  • The Occupied Palestinian Territory: an Employment Diagnostic Studypdf

    The Occupied Palestinian Territory: an Employment Diagnostic Studypdf

    International Labour Organization THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY AN EMPLOYMENT DIAGNOSTIC STUDY REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ARAB STATES THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY AN EMPLOYMENT DIAGNOSTIC STUDY REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ARAB STATES Copyright © International Labour Organization 2018 First published 2018 Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to ILO Publications (Rights and Licensing), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland, or by email: [email protected]. The International Labour Office welcomes such applications. Libraries, institutions and other users registered with reproduction rights organizations may make copies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose. Visit www.ifrro.org to find the reproduction rights organization in your country. The Occupied Palestinian Territory: An Employment Diagnostic Study / International Labour Organization, Regional Office for Arab States. - Beirut: ILO, 2018. ISBN 9789221313953 (print) ISBN 9789221313960 (web pdf) ILO Regional Office for Arab States The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers. The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them.
  • Benchmarking West Bank & Gaza

    Benchmarking West Bank & Gaza

    42987 World Bank Public Disclosure Authorized WEST BANK AND GAZA TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR NOTE Public Disclosure Authorized INTRODUCING COMPETITION IN THE PALESTINIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR January 2008 Public Disclosure Authorized Policy Division Global Information Communications Technology Department Public Disclosure Authorized - CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................. ii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS.......................................................... iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................... iv INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 SECTOR OVERVIEW ................................................................................ 1 Overall Context of the Sector................................................................................. 1 Sector Structure ..................................................................................................... 2 Market Dominance ................................................................................................ 5 Unauthorized Competition .................................................................................... 6 TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE .......... 8 POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................ 11 Issue: Market Dominance ...................................................................................
  • Alphamena Research

    Alphamena Research

    Palestine Telecommunications Telecoms / Palestine Document generated on the 20/10/2017 Strong...but under harsh lansdscape KEY DATA 12/15A 12/16A 12/17E 12/18E 12/19E Adjusted P/E (x) 7.80 7.83 9.24 8.98 8.71 Dividend yield (%) 9.02 8.31 8.66 8.66 8.66 EV/EBITDA(R) (x) 2.90 2.38 3.44 3.32 3.20 Adjusted EPS (JOD) 0.64 0.61 0.50 0.51 0.53 Upside potential : 44.3% Buy - Under Review - Growth in EPS (%) -2.79 -3.99 -18.7 2.91 3.15 Target Price (6 months) 6.67 Dividend (JOD) 0.45 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Share Price JOD 4.62 Sales (JODM) 332 332 335 338 341 Market Capitalisation JODM 608 Pretax Results margin (%) 28.2 27.4 24.7 25.2 25.6 Price Momentum NEGATIVE Attributable net profit (JODM) 83.1 80.1 65.8 67.7 69.8 Extremes 12Months 4.41 4.81 ROE (after tax) (%) 15.6 14.6 11.6 11.5 11.3 Bloomberg ticker PALTEL PS Gearing (%) -1.60 -12.4 -5.12 5.78 3.97 Last forecasts updated on the 27/09/2017 Values Benchmarks Upside Weight (JOD) DCF 7.69 66% 35% NAV/SOTP per share 6.46 40% 20% EV/Ebitda Peers 5.69 23% 20% P/E Peers 5.60 21% 10% Dividend Yield Peers 5.79 25% 10% P/Book Peers 8.08 75% 5% TARGET PRICE 6.67 44% 100% Conflicts of interest Corporate broking NO Trading in corporate shares NO Analyst ownership NO Advising of corporate (strategy, marketing, debt, etc) NO Research paid for by corporate NO Provision of corporate access paid for by corporate NO Link between AlphaMena and a banking entity NO Analyst Brokerage activity at AlphaMena NO Myriam CHAABOUNI [email protected] Client of AlphaValue Research NO @ www.alphamena.org +216 31 366 360 [email protected] Contract research, paid for by the above corporate entity.
  • Hamas Type of Organization

    Hamas Type of Organization

    Hamas Name: Hamas Type of Organization: Political religious social service provider terrorist violent Ideologies and Affiliations: Islamist jihadist Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group pan-Islamist Qutbist Sunni Place of Origin: Gaza Strip Year of Origin: 1987 Founder(s): Ahmed Yassin, Mahmoud Zahar, Hassan Yousef, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, Mohammed Hassan Shama’a, Abdul Fattah Hassan Dukhan, Ibrahim Fares Al-Yazouri, Salah Shahada (Founder of the Qassam Brigades), Issa Al-Nashar Places of Operation: Gaza Strip, West Bank, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran Overview Also Known As: Harakat al-Muqawana al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement); Al-Tiar Al-Islami (The Islamic Stream); Al-Athja Al-Islami (The Islamic Trend)1 Executive Summary Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood [1] that emerged in the Gaza Strip in the late 1980s, during the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel. The group’s ideology blends Islamism and Palestinian nationalism and seeks the destruction of Israel and the creation of an Islamic state between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River.Since 2017, Hamas claims to have severed its ties to the Brotherhood. The group also receives financial and military support from Iran. Qatar has also provided significant funding for the group. Hamas uses its provision of social services to build support amongst grassroots Palestinians, helping it to win the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. However, the group’s engagement in politics and welfare has not tempered its commitment to terrorism. Hamas’s preferred methods include suicide bombings, rocket and mortar attacks, shootings, and kidnappings. Hamas as a whole or its armed faction have been labeled terrorist organizations by the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, the European Union, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
  • Meeting with US Congressional Leaders

    Meeting with US Congressional Leaders

    IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE Claim No. HQ17M02177 QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS LIST BETWEEN: MOHAMMED DAHLAN Claimant and (1) M.E.E LIMITED (2) DAVID HEARST Defendants ________________________________ AMENDED DEFENCE OF BOTH DEFENDANTS CPR 16 PD 1.4 SHORT SUMMARY ________________________________ 1. It is denied that the words complained of are actionable, for the following reasons: 1.1. The issues raised by the claim, specifically the lawfulness and propriety of the alleged activities of the Claimant on behalf of the UAE in the conduct of its foreign affairs, are beyond the subject matter jurisdiction of this Court. 1.2. The words complained of are not defamatory of the Claimant as there are no common standards of society generally (either within England and Wales or across the Additional Jurisdictions specified in the Amended Particulars of Claim) by which the alleged activities of the Claimant on behalf of the UAE in the conduct of its foreign affairs can be judged by this Court. 1.3. The words complained of are not defamatory of the Claimant, alternatively have caused no serious harm to his reputation, in light of his pre-existing reputation within the jurisdiction and within the Additional Jurisdictions specified in the Amended Particulars of Claim, which associates him with corruption, torture and human rights abuses, the use of force for political ends and opposing, undermining and supporting the overthrow by force of democratic governments in the Middle East and North Africa on behalf of the UAE. 1.4. The words complained of do not bear the meanings relied on by the Claimant.
  • Reviving the Stalled Reconstruction of Gaza

    Reviving the Stalled Reconstruction of Gaza

    Policy Briefing August 2017 Still in ruins: Reviving the stalled reconstruction of Gaza Sultan Barakat and Firas Masri Still in ruins: Reviving the stalled reconstruction of Gaza Sultan Barakat and Firas Masri The Brookings Institution is a private non-profit organization. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. Brookings recognizes that the value it provides to any supporter is in its absolute commitment to quality, independence and impact. Activities supported by its donors reflect this commitment and the analysis and recommendations are not determined by any donation. Copyright © 2017 Brookings Institution BROOKINGS INSTITUTION 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 U.S.A. www.brookings.edu BROOKINGS DOHA CENTER Saha 43, Building 63, West Bay, Doha, Qatar www.brookings.edu/doha Still in ruins: Reviving the stalled reconstruction of Gaza Sultan Barakat and Firas Masri1 INTRODUCTION Israelis and Palestinians seems out of reach, the humanitarian problems posed by the Three years have passed since the conclusion substandard living conditions in Gaza require of the latest military assault on the Gaza Strip. the attention of international actors associated Most of the Palestinian enclave still lies in ruin. with the peace process. If the living conditions Many Gazans continue to lack permanent in Gaza do not improve in the near future, the housing, living in shelters and other forms of region will inevitably experience another round temporary accommodation.
  • Annual Report 2017

    Annual Report 2017

    ANNUAL REPORT PADICO HOLDING ANNUAL Palestine Development and Investment, Ltd. REPORT Foreign, limited, public shareholding limited Liability Company, registered in the Republic of Liberia Under the Liberian Business Law of 1977 Years of success Contents About PADICO HOLDING 6 FUTURE VISION 40 42 PADICO HOLDING: 8 Social Responsibility Twenty-three years of investment in Palestine Financial Performance in 2017 48 Board of Directors 10 Key Financial Indicators 54 Shareholder 15 Performance of PADICO HOLDING share 56 The Chairman Message 18 Auditors’ Report and Consolidated 58 Performance Summary of Investment 20 Financial Statements About PADICO HOLDING Our Values and Mission Our Strategy PADICO HOLDING believes in the importance of PADICO HOLDING is committed to developing its role and contribution in building the Palestinian the Palestinian economy through a group of PADICO HOLDING Company was established in 1993 as a foreign limited liability economy. It has several leading companies that subsidiaries and affiliates that invest in key sectors holding company registered in Liberia at the initiative of prominent Palestinian and contribute to the economic development of Palestine constant with the company’s overall strategy, Arab businesspersons with the aim of contributing to the building and development by implementing investment projects in various including real estate, communications, tourism, of the Palestinian economy by establishing development projects in vital economic economic sectors, creating jobs and launching industry, agriculture, the environment and financial creative economic initiatives in partnership with services. PADICO HOLDING’s ability to generate sectors. public sector institutions. Moreover, attracting local profits depends mainly on the performance of its and international investors and encouraging them subsidiaries and affiliates.
  • Fatah and Hamas: the New Palestinian Factional Reality

    Fatah and Hamas: the New Palestinian Factional Reality

    Order Code RS22395 March 3, 2006 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Fatah and Hamas: the New Palestinian Factional Reality Aaron D. Pina Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary For the first time in its history, the Palestinian parliament is set to be led by Hamas, which the United States and European Union have designated a foreign terrorist organization. Although some lauded the generally free and fair election in January 2006, others criticized the outcome and accused Hamas of “hijacking” democracy. This report provides an overview of the new political realities in the West Bank and Gaza after the election, the challenges Fatah and Hamas face, and possible implications for U.S. policy. This report will be updated as warranted. For more information on the Palestinians, see CRS Report RL33269, Palestinian Elections, by Aaron D. Pina, CRS Issue Brief IB91137 The Middle East Peace Talks, by Carol Migdalovitz, and CRS Report RS22370, U.S. Assistance to the Palestinians, by Jeremy M. Sharp. Background On January 25, 2006, Palestinians voted in parliamentary elections and Hamas emerged as the clear winner, with 74 out of 132 parliamentary seats. Fatah, the dominant party in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), won 45 seats, and 13 seats went to other minor parties. Since then, several governments, including the United States, have cautioned that unless Hamas disavows terrorism, recognizes Israel, and accepts all previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements, diplomatic and economic relations with the Palestinian Authority may be circumscribed or ended altogether. Hamas1 During the 1970s and 1980s, Palestinians experienced a rise in political Islam, embodied in Hamas, founded in 1987 by the late Sheik Ahmad Yasin.
  • Palestine Anthology Essays, Literature, Images by Anis Hamadeh Mainz/Germany, May 2012 2

    Palestine Anthology Essays, Literature, Images by Anis Hamadeh Mainz/Germany, May 2012 2

    Palestine Anthology Essays, Literature, Images by Anis Hamadeh Mainz/Germany, May 2012 2 “I thought I would just take a quick look at the book, but was captivated, and read through it ... Very well done and important. Simple, evocative, informed, imaginative and captivating. Anis Hamadeh’s compelling message, in words and images, should be contemplated, and taken as a call to action to bring peace and justice to people who have endured and suffered too much, and needlessly.” Noam Chomsky “A very rich collage of all forms of communication, journalism, prose, poetry, music, masterly combined to make Middle East reality hit our souls. And, as the author says, it all goes beyond pro-Palestinian to pro-human to pro a better Middle East. Strongly recommended: you will be touched, as was Johan Galtung Professor of Peace Studies, founder of TRANSCEND: A Peace Network” 3 Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................................4 PART I: Essays and Articles ...............................................................................................5 Power versus Truth: The Case of Palestine Revisited..............................................................6 Open Letter to Sigmar Gabriel about Palestine ......................................................................13 Finkelstein Banned in Berlin: A Democracy that isn’t a Democracy .......................................17 Saeed Amireh about Nonviolent Resistance in Ni’lin/Palestine.
  • THE CHALLENGE of GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications

    THE CHALLENGE of GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications

    BROOKINGS 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20036-2103 www.brookings.edu ANALYSIS PAPER Number 23, July 2011 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications Daniel Byman Gad Goldstein ANALYSIS PAPER Number 23, July 2011 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications Daniel Byman Gad Goldstein The Brookings Institution is a private non-profit organization. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. Brookings recognizes that the value it provides to any supporter is in its absolute commitment to quality, independence and impact. Activities supported by its donors reflect this commitment and the analysis and recommendations are not determined by any donation. Copyright © 2011 1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 www.brookings.edu Table of Contents Executive Summary . iv Acknowledgements . ix The Authors . x Introduction . 1 The Nature of the Challenge in Gaza . 3 Factors Beyond Gaza to Consider . 18 Policy Options . 24 THE CHALLENGE OF GAZA: Policy Options and Broader Implications The Saban Center at BRooKings iii Executive Summary lthough both the United States and Israel Hamas draws on many resources to stay in power . devote tremendous attention to the Middle Most notably, Hamas has long exploited its infra- East peace process, the Gaza Strip and its structure of mosques, social services, and communi- HamasA government have continued to vex Ameri- ty organizations to raise money and attract recruits .