Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Read in This Issue
FEATURED STORY
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P5 Gaza aid conference to held today in Cairo
Haniyeh: PM›s visit proves Israel›s divisive policies failed
Palestinian Gov’t holds its first meeting in Gaza
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Malaysia & Palestine
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Hamas: We will not accept Judaisation of Jerusalem
A second gate to al-Aqsa Mosque opened for settlers NGOs say Egypt ban on Malaysians entering Gaza ‘unacceptable’
P9 Israel starts building 600 settlement units
Articles & Analyses
P10 IOF quells Friday’s protests against settlement in W. Bank 2
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Is Hamas really like ISIS, as Netanyahu claims? Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
CONTENTS
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
News of Palestine : Palestinian Gov’t holds its first meeting in Gaza Gaza aid conference to held today in Cairo Israel bars building materials from Gaza Thousands perform Eid prayers at Aqsa Mosque A second gate to al-Aqsa Mosque opened for settlers Israel starts building 600 settlement units IOF quells Friday›s protests against settlement in W. Bank s Malaysia & Palestine NGOs say Egypt ban on Malaysians entering Gaza ‘unacceptable’ Articles & Analyses Is Hamas really like ISIS, as Netanyahu claims? Articles & Analyses
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
News of Palestine
Haniyeh: PM›s visit proves Israel›s divisive policies failed
Palestinian Gov’t holds its first meeting in Gaza
Speaking at a news conference after the first cabinet meeting in Gaza City earlier today, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said that the government’s trip to Gaza today was not just a visit, but it will working between Gaza and the West Bank. He stressed that the cabinet meeting today worked to establish a new phase of unity work, explaining that the government has taken it upon itself to unify all institutions in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. Hamdallah pointed out that “Gaza is an important part of the national project, and without it, there is no project, and what we’ve seen today confirms that the destruction of Gaza needs a lot, and we have to give hope to the people of Gaza and to work with international institutions to lift the siege.” Meanwhile, Deputy Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, said that the Palestinian people and the people of the Gaza Strip are looking forward to the concrete and practical results of the visit of the government to the Strip. Speaking during his meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Haniyeh said the government should focus on 4
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the reconstruction of Gaza and ending the siege imposed on it. Haniyeh said: “This is a time for healing the wounds of our people in Gaza, which fell and had a huge injustice befall it, needs a compassionate hand and heart and broad and full vision and development. That requires upgrading processes and challenging the blockade and all its effects.” He emphasised that the government’s visit to Gaza thwarts Israel’s plans to compromise the reconciliation and the aspirations of the people to have a government and a unified system. Haniyeh stressed the need for joint action and the success of the government in its tasks, considering its success to be the most important outcome of the Cairo talks. “There are challenges which require everyone’s cooperation so the government can succeed and overcome the critical stages after the division and war.” He emphasised that he will continue to work on solving the issue of the salaries of military personnel in the Gaza Strip.
9/10/2014
Source: Agencies
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Gaza aid conference to held today in Cairo
Some 50 countries will meet today in Cairo to attend aid conference aimed to raise billions of dollars to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip. Palestinian government provided a 76- page construction plan and called for $4 billion mainly to rebuild houses for the 100,000 displaced Gazans. Gaza population considered the conference as a first real step to rebuild the destroyed Strip, they hope that the conference decisions contribute in accelerating reconstruction. The conference will be co-sponsored by Egypt and Norway in cooperation with the United Nations, European Union and Arab League. Hamas leader Khalil al-Haia said on Saturday that Hamas is ready to do hard efforts in order to make the reconstruction process a success. He added that Hamas will shoulder its responsibility in rebuilding what the war destroyed. Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived to Cairo, voiced doubts that the international donors conference to be held in Cairo today will meet the Palestinians’ full request for $4 billion in aid pledges to rebuild the Gaza Strip. “It’s fair to say there are serious questions being raised by the donors,” he said in media conferees on Friday, citing concerns that unless the cycle is broken they will be “back here doing the same thing again in a year or two.”
12/10/2014
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Source: ALRAY
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Israel bars building materials from Gaza
The Israeli authorities have delayed indefinitely the entry of 60 truckloads of building materials into the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official said. “We were notified by the Palestinian National Company that Israel has indefinitely delayed the entry of the 60 trucks into the Gaza Strip,” Mounir al-Ghalban of Gaza’s border authority told our media sources. The move came despite Israeli “promises” to allow the entry of the construction supplies into the blockaded enclave on Tuesday through Kerem Shalom crossing, he added. During a recent 51-day onslaught, the Israeli army damaged 15,671 housing units across the Gaza Strip, including 2,276 that were totally destroyed, according to official Palestinian figures. More than 2,150 Gazans, meanwhile, 6
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mostly civilians, were killed – and 11,000 injured – in unrelenting Israeli attacks. The Israeli offensive came to an end on August 26 with the announcement of an indefinite cease-fire. The truce deal, brokered by Egypt, calls for reopening Gaza’s border crossings with Israel – effectively ending the latter’s seven-year blockade of the coastal territory – and expanding the area open to Palestinian fisherman to six miles off the Gaza coast. According to the agreement’s terms, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators will resume indirect talks on other core Palestinian demands – including the release of prisoners and the establishment of a Gaza seaport – later this month. For years, the Gaza Strip has depended on construction materials smuggled into the territory through a network of tunnels linking it to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. A recent crackdown on the tunnels by the Egyptian army, however, has effectively neutralized hundreds of tunnels, severely affecting Gaza’s construction sector.
7/10/2014 source: MEMO
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Thousands perform Eid prayers at Aqsa Mosque
Tens of thousands of Palestinian worshipers ocked to the Aqsa Mosque to perform the Eid prayers soon after dawn Saturday. Roads leading to the Old City and the Aqsa Mosque were crammed with worshipers who headed to the holy site despite the Israeli security measures that turned Jerusalem into a garrison. Israeli security forces closed a number of streets near the Mosque including Bab el-Amoud, which is the main road leading to the Aqsa. Groups of worshipers celebrated the Gaza steadfastness and victory in face of the Israeli 51 days of barbaric aggression, hailing Hamas and its armed wing for their prominent role in that victory.
4/10/2014
Source: PIC
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Hamas: We will not accept Judaisation of Jerusalem
A second gate to al-Aqsa Mosque opened for settlers
Israeli Tourism Ministry has opened Qattanin Gate, one of al-Aqsa Mosque’s 17 gates, for Jewish settlers and foreign tourists in response to Jewish organizations’ demands to open an additional gate to facilitate their break-ins. Israeli army radio said that the Israeli decision came following the Jewish extremist rabbi Yehuda Glick’s continued calls to “urgently change the status quo in alAqsa Mosque”. The decision would spark a diplomatic crisis between Israel and Jordan as alAqsa Mosque is under the Jordanian Waqf control according to bilateral agreements, the sources added. The Israeli authorities were earlier forced to dismantle a temporary bridge built alongside the Mughrabi Gate Bridge that was meant to ease entry for settlers due to the Jordanian rejection of the project. Qattanin Gate would be the second gate, along with the Mughrabi Gate, which is only accessible for settlers’ break-ins. 8
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There are 17 gates for the Aqsa Mosque with seven of them closed. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas warned on Wednesday that it would not remain silent over Israel’s continuous aggressions against the Islamic holy places in occupied Jerusalem. In a statement, Hamas reportedly said that what is going on in Jerusalem is at “the core of the real conflict, which will not end without ending the Israeli occupation”. The statement added: “The acceleration of this Zionist aggression comes in the context of prevailing uncertainty in the Arab and Islamic world, as all eyes have been deviated from looking directly at Palestine and its holy place, as well as the crimes of the Israeli occupation in the Gaza Strip.” Concluding the statement, Hamas reiterated that it would not accept the Judaisation of Jerusalem and “is ready to pay any price to prevent this from happening,” vowing that: “We will do all we can to purify the holy sites from the Israeli occupation. We will never recognise, under any circumstances, any political, demographic or religious changes made to the map.”
7/10/2014
Source: Agencies
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Israel starts building 600 settlement units
Israel has started building around 600 settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem, while construction works continued in various other settlements in the city and the occupied West Bank. Israeli weekly newspaper Kol Ha’er said that the Israeli company A. Aharon had successfully completed the marketing and sale of a new project in the settlement of Pisgat Zeev entitled ‘Nativ Hamzolot’, north of Jerusalem. The project includes four buildings each including six housing areas and a total of 24 settlement units. The units are expected to be inhabited within 20 months. The same company marketed the ‘Novi Hapesga’ project in the same settlement that includes 22 units. The company has also begun the project ‘Tovi Adumim’ in the settlement of Maaleh Adumim that includes 14 settlement units in two buildings. It will also begin a new settlement project in Gilo called ‘Medorgi Gilo’ with 88 settlement units in four buildings. In the Neve Yacov settlement, the company is building 165 settlement units. More units are being marketed in Har Homa (Mountain Abu-Ghneim) settlement with 142 settlement units in three buildings. The company has recently won a tender for the construction of 92 settlement units in Pisgat Zeev.
11/10/2014
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Source: MEMO |
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Netanyahu asks police to act ‹aggressively› with Palestinian protesters
IOF quells Friday›s protests against settlement in W. Bank
Several Palestinian and foreign activists were either wounded or arrested when the Israeli occupation forces (PIC) on Friday suppressed their peaceful protests against the segregation wall and settlement activities in West Bank villages. In Bethlehem, the participants in the weekly march of Masarah village was able to close for some time the main road that is used by Jewish settlers before Israeli soldiers intervened and forced them to open the way. The protestors, during the march, carried banners thanking the European countries that recognized the Palestinian state. The IOF also attacked Palestinian and
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foreign protestors in the anti-wall march of Bil’in village near Ramallah and caused many of them to suffer from inhaling tear gas. The protestors tried to march towards the annexed area near Abu Laimun area where the IOF, every Friday, intensifies its military presence before Israeli soldiers showered them with tear gas and stun grenades, and fired some rubber bullets at them. In related context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Israeli security services on Tuesday to “aggressively” crack down on Palestinian protesters in occupied Jerusalem. After a special security meeting attended by Jerusalem’s mayor and government legal advisors, AFP news agency quoted Netanyahu’s office as saying that: “The prime minister instructed that forces be strengthened in areas of conflict and that they should act aggressively against rioters.” Netanyahu also “stressed that the current situation must not be allowed to become the norm”. 8/10/2014 Source: Agencies
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Malaysia & Palestinian Cause
NGOs say Egypt ban on Malaysians entering Gaza ‘unacceptable’ Activists from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have protested against the Egyptian government’s blacklisting of Malaysia from entering Gaza via the Rafah border crossing to send humanitarian aid. Nassar Foundation chairman, Nasharuddin Mat Isa (pic) said this latest Egyptian action was unacceptable and their claim that Malaysia was training Al-Qassam militants was a lie. “All this while, Malaysia had extended medical and food supplies on humanitarian grounds and not via the political platform. I see Malaysia is being made a scapegoat because the Egyptian government may be trying to appease Israel for its own interest,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
also member of PCOM’s Board of Trustees, said the Malaysian government should issue a statement to counter the baseless allegation.
He said Malaysia should also hold discussions with the Egyptian government to allow Malaysia to enter Gaza again via Rafah to He was commenting on the statement continue its humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. by Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations deputy presi- Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia chief activist Datuk dent Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar that the Nadzim Johan said Egypt’s action would only worsen the situation support Malaysia gave for the people because Malaysia’s main aim to Gaza was to extend humanitarof Palestine, who were oppressed by ian aid. Israel’s Zionist regime, was miscon- “The present Egyptian government may be pressured by the mastrued as helping violence. jor powers to prevent Malaysia from giving aid to the people of Other than Malaysia, five other na- Palestine.” he said. tions which were blacklisted were Nadzim said the action of the Egyptian government in preventing Turkey, Qatar, Iran, Morocco and Su- Malaysia from entering Gaza could be temporary as Malaysia had dan, said Abdul Aziz. good relations with Egypt prior to this. In this regard, Nasharuddin, who is
7/10/2014
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Source: BERNAMA
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Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Articles & Analyses
Is Hamas really like ISIS, as Netanyahu claims? By: Ibrahim Al-Madhoun In his heart of hearts, Netanyahu is aware of the major and fundamental differences between the Palestinian Hamas movement and the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) that is not limited to a specific state or nationality. However, for some reason, he is trying to link the two. In doing so, he ignores what is even more dangerous than his erroneous comparison; the significant similarity between ISIS and Israel’s ideology, policies and practices. Israel calls itself the “Jewish State”, just as Al-Baghdadi calls his group the Islamic State. From the time of its “independence” in 1948, Israel has never declared it borders; in fact, they expand and contract, just as the territory controlled by ISIS does (it rejects the ideas of borders and does not recognise nation states). Indeed, ISIS considers its borders to be wherever its forces have reached. Israel was established on the basis of colonial-settlement and mass immigration of Zionist Jews from all over the world; ISIS is also encouraging immigrants who believe in the ideology of the group, regardless of their ethnicity and nationality. It is no wonder that the Palestinian resistance is surprised when it captures or kills Israeli soldiers only to find that they are French, British, Polish, German or Russian individuals brought in to fight 12
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on Palestinian land and join the ranks of the “Jewish State”. In addition, the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel throughout its occupation of Palestine far surpass those committed by ISIS; the Israelis kill women and children and commit massacres deliberately, with apparent impunity, and then boast about it. I do not mean that this comparison should offend ISIS, nor am I very concerned with talking about an organisation being fought by the world. It is undoubtedly a serious phenomenon that requires further reflection and study. What I am really concerned about is revealing Netanyahu’s manipulation and his attempt to divert attention from the real nature of the conflict in Palestine. When he fights Hamas, he is fighting the rightful owners of the land, the Palestinians. He is also following terrorist logic and using unimaginably extreme methods thanks to the world overlooking the Zionist project’s excesses in the region. The international community is applying blatant double standards in its reaction to Israel and ISIS. Alliances have been formed to fight ISIS but the world turns a blind eye to the Israeli occupation that commits war crimes witnessed by all who wish to see. Over the summer, and not for the first time, Israel bombed hospi-
tals, schools and safe houses while they were still inhabited and used internationally-banned weapons. Netanyahu’s repeated attempts to link Hamas to ISIS is just more proof of Israel’s defeat and failure in its latest attack on the movement. It is also a cry for help by Israel to the countries of the world after its army failed to progress more than a few metres into Gaza. This is a desperate attempt to discredit and ruin the reputation of the Palestinian resistance and link it to a terrorist organisation reviled across the world. Netanyahu still hasn’t realised that the world is no longer held hostage to Israeli propaganda, and that such links and comparisons do not harm Hamas or change the fact that occupation is terrorism in every sense of the word.
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
Issue No : 105 13th October , 2014
Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia
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