عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Palestinian Authority Hinges on Int’l Pressure against Annexation

A demonstrator holding a Palestinian flag stands in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli settlements and the US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, in Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on February 25, 2020. Reuters
A demonstrator holding a Palestinian flag stands in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli settlements and the US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, in Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on February 25, 2020. Reuters
TT
TT

Palestinian Authority Hinges on Int’l Pressure against Annexation

A demonstrator holding a Palestinian flag stands in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli settlements and the US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, in Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on February 25, 2020. Reuters
A demonstrator holding a Palestinian flag stands in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli settlements and the US President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan, in Jordan Valley in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on February 25, 2020. Reuters

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed a meeting to discuss Israel's plan of annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, as the PA hopes for Arab and western pressure to stop Israel’s move.

Fatah senior official Moneer al-Jaghoub said in a short press statement that the meeting, which was scheduled to be held on Saturday, was postponed until further notice.

Several sources confirmed that the meeting was postponed after Israel delayed the swearing-in of its unity government, which had been set for Thursday.

Hamas spokesman Abdelatif al-Qanou said that the meeting of the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah would be a formality and would not produce any practical results.

He added that withdrawing the recognition of Israel, abolishing agreements with it, and launching the resistance against the occupation are capable of changing the status quo in favor of the Palestinians.

European Union foreign ministers discussed on Friday via video conference the action that the EU could take if Israel pushes forward with plans to annex parts of the West Bank in the coming months. The EU foreign ministers are seeking to agree on a position if Israel takes this step.

In the past days, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has attempted to foil any European decision by addressing 12 friendly EU countries, saying that the Israeli government is newly formed and has taken no actions yet on annexation.

But Jordan's King Abdullah II warned Israel of a “massive conflict” if it proceeds with plans to annex large parts of the West Bank.

US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus replied in a press briefing by saying that Washington “has a close relationship with the state of Jordan. We know that Jordan plays a special role in the Middle East. What we want for both Israel and Jordan is the relationship that is not only strong on the security level, but that’s also strong at the diplomatic level and the economic level.”

She added: “We certainly understand that the king has expressed his concerns today and again that’s why we think it’s important to turn back to President Trump’s Vision for Peace and to bring all parties to the table to work toward this peace plan.”

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
TT
TT

Rescue Teams Search for Survivors in Building Collapse that Killed at Least 2 in Northern Lebanon

A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
A Lebanese flag is pictured, in the aftermath of a massive explosion, in Beirut's damaged port area, Lebanon August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

At least two people were killed and four rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.

Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the building when it fell.

The bodies pulled out were of a child and a woman, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.

The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards, according to The AP news.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.

The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”

The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.

Arab World

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
TT
TT

Israel to Take More West Bank Powers and Relax Settler Land Buys

A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)
A view of Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank, Sunday, June 18, 2023. (AP)

Israel's security cabinet approved a series of steps on Sunday that would make it easier for settlers in the occupied West Bank to buy land while granting Israeli authorities more enforcement powers over Palestinians, Israeli media reported.

The West Bank is among the territories that the Palestinians seek for a future independent state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Citing statements by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli news sites Ynet and Haaretz said the measures included scrapping decades-old regulations that prevent Jewish private citizens buying land in the West Bank, The AP news reported.

They were also reported to include allowing Israeli authorities to administer some religious sites, and expand supervision and enforcement in areas under PA administration in matters of environmental hazards, water offences and damage to archaeological sites.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the new measures were dangerous, illegal and tantamount to de-facto annexation.

The Israeli ministers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The new measures come three days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet in Washington with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank but his administration has not sought to curb Israel's accelerated settlement building, which the Palestinians say denies them a potential state by eating away at its territory.

Netanyahu, who is facing an election later this year, deems the establishment of any Palestinian state a security threat.

His ruling coalition includes many pro-settler members who want Israel to annex the West Bank, land captured in the 1967 Middle East war to which Israel cites biblical and historical ties.

The United Nations' highest court said in a non-binding advisory opinion in 2024 that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there is illegal and should be ended as soon as possible. Israel disputes this view.

Arab World

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
TT
TT

Arab League Condemns Attack on Aid Convoys in Sudan

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit strongly condemned the attack by the Rapid Support Forces on humanitarian aid convoys and relief workers in North Kordofan State, Sudan.

In a statement reported by SPA, secretary-general's spokesperson Jamal Rushdi quoted Aboul Gheit as saying the attack constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians and depriving them of their means of survival.

Aboul Gheit stressed the need to hold those responsible accountable, end impunity, and ensure the full protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and relief facilities in Sudan.