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Tension Awaits Pence In Jerusalem Wednesday

A Palestinian demonstrator stands near burning tires during clashes with Israeli troops. - Reuters
A Palestinian demonstrator stands near burning tires during clashes with Israeli troops. - Reuters
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Tension Awaits Pence In Jerusalem Wednesday

A Palestinian demonstrator stands near burning tires during clashes with Israeli troops. - Reuters
A Palestinian demonstrator stands near burning tires during clashes with Israeli troops. - Reuters

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah Movement called on the Palestinians to attend a massive demonstration next week to protest against the visit of US Vice President Mike Pence to Jerusalem, and reject Washington’s decision to recognize the holy city as Israel’s capital.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Movement said: "We stress on the need to stage protests at the entrances to Jerusalem and in its Old City to coincide with the visit of US Vice President Mike next Wednesday.”

Fatah also called for a complete coordination with Christians on Sunday evening to massively attend candle-lighting ceremonies in the city of Bethlehem.

On Saturday, thousands of Palestinians attended the funeral of four men who were killed on Friday during confrontations with the occupying Israeli army.

Tens of Palestinians were also injured on Saturday while attending angry demonstration against the US decision.

Meanwhile, Abbas rejected any change in the borders of the occupied “east Jerusalem.”

"We will not accept any changes to the 1967 border of east Jerusalem," Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Abbas, said Saturday.

"This American position proves once again that the current US administration is completely out of the peace process," he added.

The response came a day after senior official in Washington said the US expects the Western Wall in Jerusalem to be part of Israel.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II will meet at the Vatican on Tuesday with Pope Francis for talks on developments related to Jerusalem following the US decision to recognize it as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy there.

Jordanian official news agency Petra said that from the Vatican, the King will head to France where he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the latest developments in the Middle East, also mainly those related to Jerusalem.

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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.