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PA Accuses Israeli Army of Encouraging Settler Violence

The Israeli army arrested a Palestinian near the Cave of the Patriarchs last Friday during Palestinian protests against the presence of settlers (EPA)
The Israeli army arrested a Palestinian near the Cave of the Patriarchs last Friday during Palestinian protests against the presence of settlers (EPA)
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PA Accuses Israeli Army of Encouraging Settler Violence

The Israeli army arrested a Palestinian near the Cave of the Patriarchs last Friday during Palestinian protests against the presence of settlers (EPA)
The Israeli army arrested a Palestinian near the Cave of the Patriarchs last Friday during Palestinian protests against the presence of settlers (EPA)

The Palestinian government has accused the Israeli army of coordinating with the settlers to carry out attacks on the villages and residents of the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said that the invasive Israeli practices seek to change the historic, legal, and demographic status quo in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, US Army officers were given a tour of the West Bank city of Hebron led by the spokesman for the city's Jewish settler enclave, in a trip organized by a senior Israeli commander.

The office of Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs, the head of the military's Central Command, contacted the Hebron settlement's extreme-right spokesman, Noam Arnon, to ask him to lead the full-day tour.

Arnon posted pictures from the tour on Facebook and wrote: “I was happy to host a delegation of senior American officers who came to hear, learn, get to know, and be impressed.”

“We were moved remembering that even in our times, the name of Abraham unites all those who desire peace in the entire world and that the peace agreements are called the ‘Abraham Accords’.”

Arnon added that the request to guide the US officers was received from the secretariat of the Central Command and that Fuchs was the go-between.

He revealed that the responsibilities of the US officers who participated in the tour included training Palestinian security forces.

Haaretz newspaper quoted reliable sources as saying that the Israeli defense officials criticized the event, saying it could harm relations between Washington and the Palestinians.

One defense source said that it is highly important to preserve the status quo at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and that a one-sided tour without the participation of Palestinian representatives could raise tensions concerning security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

In addition to touring the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the trip included a visit to the museum of the Jewish community of Hebron in Beit Hadassah.

"The tour of the cave was about the Jewish history of the site," said a statement by the Israeli army.

“As part of the ongoing tours that are held regularly, the American delegation meets with various people in the State of Israel as well as in the Palestinian Authority,” it said.

“This is in order to learn about the area in the best way possible. Dr. Noam Arnon was chosen to guide this tour. The tour was held according to the established regulations in the Israeli army,” the statement added.

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Arab World

Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.