PA Accuses Israel of Exploiting Jewish Holidays to Encourage Settlement

Israeli security forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. (Reuters)
Israeli security forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. (Reuters)
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PA Accuses Israel of Exploiting Jewish Holidays to Encourage Settlement

Israeli security forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. (Reuters)
Israeli security forces in Jerusalem’s Old City, March 18, 2018. (Reuters)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) accused Israel of exploiting Jewish holidays to encourage settlement projects in Palestinian territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the Israeli authority has been working on “exploiting holidays in favor of provocative acts of aggression that would deepen the settlement and Judaization operations in the occupied Palestinian territory and intensify attacks on holy sites in Jerusalem.”

It cited a series of attacks against the Palestinian people and these sites, including the closure of the Bab al-Rahma prayer area, the constant storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the repeated Israeli calls for marches in the West Bank on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The Ministry also accused Israel of “abducting” Palestinian nature either through the separation wall, barriers, barbed wire fences or flooding them with toxic waste. This has deprived the people of their right to enjoy nature walks.

It called on “countries that claim to be keen on the principles of human rights and that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to do so as soon as possible, as a necessary step to confront the colonial settlement project and protect the two-state solution.”

It said it has been closely following the Israeli campaign in the Isawiya district in east Jerusalem, warning of its dangerous repercussions. It condemned the security forces’ night raids, murders, mass arrests, provocative checkpoints and other forms of “collective punishment.”



Netanyahu Says He Hopes Hostage Deal Can Be Done in Few Days

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Netanyahu Says He Hopes Hostage Deal Can Be Done in Few Days

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday he hoped to reach a deal in a few days for the release of more Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group Hamas.

Netanyahu said 50 hostages were still being held captive by Hamas. Of that figure, he said, only 20 are believed to be alive.

"I want to take them all out. We now have a deal that supposedly will get half of the living and half of the dead out," Netanyahu said in an interview on Newsmax show "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that aired on Thursday.

"And so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages, but I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete it in a few days."

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and reduced much of Gaza to rubble.

The two sides have had two ceasefires - one in November 2023 and another in January 2025- since the fighting started.

Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas will likely have a 60-day ceasefire, which the two sides could use to try to end the conflict.

Hamas said on Wednesday there were several sticking points in the ongoing ceasefire talks including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire."

Netanyahu's interview with Newsmax comes as he wraps his third visit to Washington since President Donald Trump took office in January.

Speaking of Trump, the Israeli leader said his country has never had "such a friend, such a support of Israel, the Jewish state in the White House."

Last month, the US joined Israel in striking Iran, a move that Trump has said "obliterated" three of Iran's nuclear sites.

When asked about a damage assessment, Netanyahu said, "Within months, they could have produced atomic bombs."