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Israel Calls for PA Prisoners' Affairs Administration to be Designated as Terrorist

A boy holds a picture of Palestinian prisoner I during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron (file photo: Reuters)
A boy holds a picture of Palestinian prisoner I during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron (file photo: Reuters)
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Israel Calls for PA Prisoners' Affairs Administration to be Designated as Terrorist

A boy holds a picture of Palestinian prisoner I during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron (file photo: Reuters)
A boy holds a picture of Palestinian prisoner I during a rally calling on Israel to release her, in the West Bank city of Hebron (file photo: Reuters)

A number of political right-wing figures in Israel and the US are pressuring both the US administration and the Israeli government to declare the Palestinian Commission of Detainees Affairs a terrorist organization.

The campaign was launched by a right-wing Israeli organization "Palestinian Media Watch" which sent direct messages to US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

The organization has been working for more than 30 years against the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority (PA), claiming that they are running anti-Jewish policies, approaches and practices that support terrorism.

It played a central role in the campaign against paying salaries to Palestinian detainees serving sentences in Israeli prisons, as well as to the families of the deceased.

The Israeli government adopted this approach earlier and decided to deduct the salaries from Palestinian tax funds, which led to crisis between the Israeli government and the PA, after which the Palestinian Finance Ministry refused to receive the remaining amount.

The campaign was led by the US Republican Congressman, Doug Lamborn, who is the head of the Israeli lobby in the Congress.

In a letter to Trump on Thursday, Lamborn called for designating the commission and its director Qadri Abu Bakr, as "sponsors of terror" because of their direct involvement in providing monthly payments to prisoners and their families.

In turn, a group of the right-wing and center Knesset members sent a similar letter to Netanyahu and Gantz, saying: “It should not be, that while other nations around the world, especially our friend the United States, are making efforts to eradicate this phenomenon of terror payments, Israel will continue to keep quiet.”

The letter was signed by MKs: Matan Kahana of Yamina party, Oded Forer of Yisrael Beiteinu and Elazar Stern of Yesh Atid-Telem.

The parliamentarians said that they would put the issue on the Knesset's agenda soon, however, Netanyahu and Gantz did not comment on the matter.

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Lebanese Opposition Intensifies Efforts to Agree on Presidential Candidate ahead of Jan. Election

The Lebanese parliament convenes to extend the term of Army Commander Joseph Aoun. (National News Agency)
The Lebanese parliament convenes to extend the term of Army Commander Joseph Aoun. (National News Agency)
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Lebanese Opposition Intensifies Efforts to Agree on Presidential Candidate ahead of Jan. Election

The Lebanese parliament convenes to extend the term of Army Commander Joseph Aoun. (National News Agency)
The Lebanese parliament convenes to extend the term of Army Commander Joseph Aoun. (National News Agency)

The Lebanese opposition has intensified its contacts and meetings in preparation for the presidential election set by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for January 9.

Talks have focused on the potential presidential candidates and reaching an agreement on a figure who will be approved by rival forces, notably the Shiite duo of Hezbollah and Amal, which is led by Berri.

The duo has been the main party responsible for obstructing the election of a president in the past. Lebanon has been without a head of state since October 2022 when the term of Michel Aoun ended without the election of a successor.

French presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian was in Lebanon last week to discuss the elections with local leaderships.

The election will be closely watched by the international community given the volatile regional situation and in wake of the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese Forces MP Ghayath Yazbeck said the opposition is working tirelessly to come up with a candidate that would be accepted by the other camp.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that former minister Jihad Azour may no longer be a suitable nominee given the different circumstances in the country and since the Shiite duo and their allies view him as a “contentious” candidate.

The other camp, on their end, must also avoid naming a candidate seen as “controversial” by the opposition, he remarked.

Even though Lebanon has been going through the presidential vacuum for over two years, the opposition is still coming up with the suitable characteristics of a candidate.

Yazbeck said the country needs a president who thoroughly understands economy and can carry out needed reforms. He must enjoy the trust of international institutions, including the International Monetary Funds and World Bank.

He revealed that it seems that Hezbollah and Amal are leaning towards abandoning the nomination of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh.

“The Lebanese Forces and opposition don’t want to fill the post with just any person. Rather, they want a president who believes in Lebanon’s sovereignty and who can carry out reforms, address thorny political and security ties, and rebuild bridges with Arab countries after the damage caused by the other camp,” he stressed.

On whether the LF backs the nomination of Army Commander Joseph Aoun, he replied that he remains a “strong candidate” and the LF does not oppose his run for the presidency.

Meanwhile, independent MP Michel Daher announced that he backs Aoun’s candidacy, explaining to Asharq Al-Awsat that he can “manage stability in Lebanon, which will in turn attract investments to the country.”

“A candidate with an economic background cannot create the desired security,” he remarked.