Israel Faces the Palestinian Authority Bogeyman
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Journalist Amira Hass in dialogue with Al-Hal: Issue 114 - Volume 9 Issued by Media Development Center, Birzeit University Since 2005 The Warmth of Palestine The circle is the best thing in the world. With a circle, it is of no import where it begins or where it ends, who comes first or who is last. What really matters is that it keeps on rolling…and as Palestinians we have many circles that we are satisfied with. Things may appear to be random and not well managed, but it works well for us. In recent days, at the height of the snow storm, with temperatures hitting a record of minus four degrees Centigrade, we witnessed individuals acting with resolve, diligence and gallantry, and institutions that shouldered their duty to serve human beings. They left their homes to rescue someone who had got stuck, to warm up someone who was cold, and to save a patient. Their warm hearts kept us warm and kept Palestine -- its Gaza Strip, its West Bank, its shore and all its contours -- as warm as possible; warm because there are people who care and because the genius of the circle suits us. Thanks are extended to the institutions of our country and to all those who took the effort and trouble to keep the circle of life rolling. We hope that our other circles in health, education, planning and construction will also roll. Editor in Cheif AL HAL - Tuesday 13/1/2015 4 PAGES INSIDE Israeli Regional Expansion in Gas…Boycott [Campaign] “Taq Taq Taqieh” … A program that meets the Birzeit University, wins first place in the Arab world 02 Prepares for a Wave of Protests 03 demands of the child audience 04 for its [engagement] in the environment, recycling and clean energy The International Criminal Court … Israel faces the Palestinian Authority Bogeyman Rahma Hajja condemned Israeli practices and services to Palestinians against Palestinians as war versus no more than USD 350 In a meeting of the Palestinian crimes, and it could result in million in imports permitted leadership held on the 31st continuous prosecution of Israeli from Palestinians; and finally, of December 2014, President political and military leaders.” the security aspect, which is Mahmoud Abbas asked: “Are As clarified by Shalhat, the being revised by the Palestinian you ready for the consequences accession of Palestine to leadership at present.” of joining the International international organizations, Criminal Court?” Everyone to take place at a later stage People will pay the price replied in the affirmative. according to an announcement Samira Halayqa, a member of And thus, the “battle” started by President Abbas, represents Parliament representing the once the PLO failed, on the international recognition of Hamas Change and Reform 30th of December 2014, to Palestine as a state that enjoys Bloc believes, “The Palestinian win approval for an Arab- rights and sovereignty. This is Authority is not prepared to face Palestinian draft resolution to rejected by Israel, in spite of the Israeli response, and does set a timetable for an end to Israeli claims that it supports the not have the right to respond the Israeli occupation of the establishment of a Palestinian in the first place.” She added: Palestinian territories and the state via negotiations, also “The PA has taken this step and establishment of a Palestinian thwarted by Israel. was aware of the consequences state on the territories occupied beforehand. Countries that in 1967. Voting in favor of the Is the Palestinian support Israel are greater in proposed resolution in the UN number than those who support Security Council did not pass Authority ready? So Israel opened fire and the the PA. Therefore, the people will the required threshold. Even if pay the price of these actions.” it had done, the American veto Palestinian Authority declared its readiness. But is the PA really Halayqa told Al-Hal: “The PA was on standby. should not limit its options of ready? Are these declarations no of the Palestinian Democratic be also undertaken by Israel Israel launched a counter halting security coordination more than “hash tags” intended to Union party, told Al-Hal: “As a in its counter attack, Shalhat attack, starting with a freeze with Israel, of accession to influence public opinion nationally people we should not fear Israeli says: “Israel talks about other on the tax revenues of USD international organizations, or and internationally? Does the actions and the international measures, including putting 127 million levied on behalf of of applying to the International statement by Saeb Erakat, member community should shoulder pressure on countries that the Palestinian Authority, which Criminal Court or halting of the PLO Executive Committee, its responsibilities regarding provide aid to the PA in an represents about half of the negotiations, but should keep holding Israel responsible as an the potential consequences.” attempt to stop their assistance. Palestinian budget. This was the options open for the people.” opposed by the United States occupation force constitute a She ruled out the option of Although Israel has not because it “stirs up tensions”. threat to dismantle the Palestinian dismantling the PA on the announced that it will undertake Authority as some observers have Dismantling grounds that the PA is “an military retribution, there are interpreted? the Palestinian Authority achievement of the Palestinian expectations that it will pursue a ?What is Israel afraid of In response to these questions, What is Israel afraid of that makes Political analyst and writer Rafiq people and their struggle that campaign of pressure or pursue Fatah Executive Committee Awad told Al-Hal: “The resilience Israel attempts to undermine.” wanted individuals as a means it attack international initiatives member Mohammad Shtayyeh by Palestinians? Antoine of the Palestinian Authority Shtayyeh regards the freezing of to destroy the sovereignty of the told Al-Hal: “The Palestinian to Israeli economic, security tax revenues as a “temporary” Palestinian Authority. I have no Shalhat, Director of The Israeli people are prepared. This ‘luxury” Scene Supplement - Al-Mashad and political attacks is linked step. He added: “We have been idea how things may develop, occupation cannot stay forever to popular support and PLO through this in the past. It is a but Israel has a tendency to at the Palestinian Forum for and everything has a price.” He Israeli Studies (MADAR), told Al- adherence to its position, as collective punishment that Israel engage in appalling practices stressed, “The Palestinian people well as the impetus of an Arab cannot sustain for a long time. against the Palestinians, Hal that Palestine’s application need freedom and dignity by to join the International Criminal safety net.” He trusts that the Israel is trying to defend itself by especially at present with the ending the occupation; therefore Palestinian people can attempt attacking and we are prepared forthcoming general election. Court “opens the way for filing we as a people, the PA and litigation against Israel related to change their social life for that. On another level, it is It has always been the case in employees should be prepared through solidarity and domestic in Israel’s interests to retain the every election that Israeli parties to wars and military operations to pay the price.” conducted against Palestinians, economic programs. He did Palestinian Authority in such a compete with each other in their Shtayyeh clarified: “If necessary, not rule out that the PA may situation, i.e. an authority without extremism against Palestinians.” whether in the West Bank or we will reformulate the the Gaza Strip. Naturally, this dismantle itself, emphasizing: authority. Under this umbrella, Shtayyeh stressed: “Israel is an relationship with Israel from A to “The people are capable of Israel continues the confiscation enemy state and we can expect Court holds world politicians Z. There are three aspects: the accountable for alleged war creating a thousand Authorities of land and the building of anything and everything. The political, which is closed; the that will be in the hands of the settlements and is not interested question is how prepared we are crimes, especially when several economic, which is running in official reports issued by people, and not of Israel.” in dismantling the PA.” to pay the price of ending the one direction as Israel exports Zahira Kamal, general secretary On the other measures that can occupation.” international organizations have USD 4.1 billion in commodities Issue 114 - Volume 9 AL HAL - Tuesday 13/1/2015 02 Israeli Regional Expansion in Gas…Boycott [Campaign] Achievers Prepares for a Wave of Protests Aref Hijawi Iliya Gharbieh Hey failures! Welcome. Let me tell you about achievers. The date of January 5th marked the Mr. Failure, do you want to be first anniversary of the initial sealing of successful? Then go read books an agreement between the Palestine on self-improvement if you want. Electric Company (PEC) and Delek You may also want to read my Drilling - Noble Energy, an Israeli- article as it can save you the American alliance. This agreement effort. was signed in the official presence of Achievers are like Apollo 11 and the Palestinian Energy and Natural Saturn 5, which took the first man Resources Authority (PENRA). to step on the moon. Apollo 11 is According to the agreement, the a spaceship that weighs 50 tons, Israelis will provide the Palestine Power while Saturn is the rocket that Generation Co. (PPGC) with its needs lifted Apollo from earth, enabled for natural gas to fuel a future power its flight, and was disposed of plant in Jenin for a period of 20 years at rapidly after takeoff. This Saturn a value exceeding USD 1.2 billion. weighed 3000 tons.