Issue no 63

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Issue No : 63

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia

30th September, 2013

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30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

Read In This Report P4

Mashaal: Jerusalem and Al- Aqsa can only be restored with resistance

Palestinian youths express anger against Israeli aggression in Jerusalem

P7

Coup government threatens Gaza with «military options» P5 Israeli plans to establish a Jewish temple on onesixth of Aqsa space P10 Ministers’ statements on borders expose depth of racism and extremism in Israeli politics

P8 Haneyya praises Tunisian President›s calls to lift the siege on Gaza

P11 By: Shazia Arshad

Egypt›s coup leaders grateful for Israeli support

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia 2 |

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia


Issue No : 63

30th September, 2013

CONTENTS News of Palestine

Palestinian youths express anger against Israeli aggression in Jerusalem 4 Israeli plans to establish a Jewish temple on one-sixth of Aqsa space 5 One-third of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem are threatened with demolition 6 7 Coup government threatens Gaza with «military options» Haneyya praises Tunisian President›s calls to lift the siege on Gaza 8 13 Palestinian female prisoners call for highlighting their plight 9

Israel Insider

Ministers’ statements on borders expose depth of racism and extremism in Israeli politics

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Articles & Analyses

Egypt›s coup leaders grateful for Israeli support

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia

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30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

News of Palestine

Mashaal: Jerusalem and Al- Aqsa can only be restored with resistance

Palestinian youths express anger against Israeli aggression in Jerusalem

28/09/2013

Thousands of Palestinian youths took to the streets on Friday protesting against continued Israeli aggression against Jerusalem and al-Aqsa mosque. Most Palestinian cities and villages in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank took part in these protests after the Friday prayer. Clashes erupted between protesters and the Israeli forces in several places; protesters in the Gaza Strip headed to Beit Hanoun crossing where Israeli forces fired tear gas at them, four protesters were injured in Jerusalem and had sustained moderate wounds, dozens were wounded in confrontations with Israeli occupation forces near Hawara roadblock to the south of Nablus city, and 30 others were wounded in Al-Khalil confrontations including a fiveyear-old child who lost his eyesight after being hit with a rubbercoated bullet. Meanwhile, the Israeli authori4 |

ties have imposed severe restrictions on Muslim worshippers who want to perform their obligatory Friday prayer in the Noble Sanctuary. According to Israeli media reports, the police are only allowing Palestinian men over 50 years old and carrying Israel identity documents to enter mosque along with women and children.

ing hours, following Jewish calls to break into the mosque courtyards, on the eve of Sukkot. AlAqsa Foundation said in a statement on Tuesday that the presence of worshipers, students and leaders of the Islamic movement in Al-Aqsa mosque has been thwarting the settlers› incursions expected today.

On the other hand, dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the last week accompanied by a large number of Israeli policemen and special troops who fired tear gas and stun grenades at the Palestinian worshipers; it appears as if the Israelis are determined to provide a «safe passage» through which extremist Jews can enter the Noble Sanctuary of Al-Aqsa, which is Islam›s third holiest site, to perform Talmudic rituals. This route extends from the Moroccan Gate to various parts of the main mosque hall.

For his part, head of Hamas›s political bureau Khaled Mashaal urged Fatah faction, the Palestinian authority and the political factions not to get busy with side battles, to utilize the common ground between them and make Jerusalem a top priority for them over other issues.

Earlier on Tuesday, hundreds of students, Jerusalemites and residents of the 1948 territories gathered in the Aqsa mosque since the early morn-

In an interview conducted by AlJazeera, Mashaal highlighted that the Palestinians would be able to restore Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque only through armed resistance, recalling that the Muslim conqueror Salahuddin Al-Ayoubi had liberated Jerusalem with armed force.

Source: Agencies

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Issue No : 63

30th September, 2013

4,000 housing units in Jerusalem were approved since the return to negotiations

Israeli plans to establish a Jewish temple on one-sixth of Aqsa space

26/09/2013

A Palestinian activist specialized in affairs of the occupied city of Jerusalem said the settlement activities in the city have significantly escalated since the resumption of IsraeliPalestinian negotiations about two months ago under U.S. auspices. The activist Rasim Obeidat pointed that the settlement activity in occupied Jerusalem has been escalated, adding that the occupation approved the construction of thousands of settlement units in addition to the increased number of settle-

ment projects that are approved by the Israeli authorities. He told Quds Press that «these projects are being approved publicly, and the Palestinian Authority knows about it... We are witnessing in Jerusalem the construction processes on the ground. It is no longer a secret.» He confirmed that the occupation authorities have approved the construction of 4,000 housing units in many Palestinian towns and neighbourhoods in the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem, since the return to negotiations. The Palestinian activist warned

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that the occupation authorities, in light of the negotiations, are working on creating a new reality inside the Aqsa mosque, through the daily incursions of the settlers under the Israeli police protection, and the prevention of the Muslims from entering the mosque. He pointed out that the Jewish Yishai Society is planning to establish a synagogue on the one sixth of the space of the Aqsa mosque, and stressed that Jerusalem is exposed to a comprehensive attack, even in the field of education.

Source: PIC | 5


30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

One-third of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem are threatened with demolition

meet the needs of their growing An international human rights population. organisation has revealed that A report from Euro-Mid shed one-third of the Palestiniansome light on the widespread Isowned houses in Jerusalem raeli settlement programme in face demolition under the preJerusalem. It mentioned that the text that applications for buildfinancial committee of the Israeliing permits were incomplete. controlled Jerusalem municipalThis, claims Euro-Mid Obity decided to support 1,500 new server for Human Rights, is a settlement units in the city at the way for the Israeli authorities end of August. The human rights to continue their demographic group also pointed out that Israwar against Palestinians in the el’s bulldozers are still razing PalHoly City. Israel gives Jerusaestinian homes in Al-Tour neighlemite Palestinians the right to bourhood because the authorities use just 13 per cent of the area plan to set up the «National Israeli of occupied East Jerusalem to

26/09/2013

Park». According to the UN, poverty is getting worse among Palestinians in Jerusalem. EuroMid noted that the unemployment rate rose to 78 per cent in 2012 compared with 64 per cent in 2006. More than 40 per cent of Palestinian Jerusalemites now live below the official poverty line; one of the reasons is the disparity in wage rates between Israeli and Palestinian labourers.

Source: MEMO

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Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia


Issue No : 63

30th September, 2013

Israel predicts Egypt will assist to topple Hamas rule

Coup government threatens Gaza with «military options» 26/09/2013 Egypt›s foreign minister in the coup-led «interim» government has threatened the people of Gaza with «military options» if it is felt that Hamas or other parties are endangering national security. «Egypt›s response will be harsh,» Nabil Fahmy told London›s Al-Hayat newspaper. In response, the media adviser to the prime minister in Gaza said that he was «surprised» by Fahmy›s statement. «The minister›s threat contradicts Egyptian history and its role in protecting the Palestinian people, because Palestine is of great value to Egypt,» said Taher Al-Nunu. He called upon all «wise men» in Egypt to bear their national responsibility towards the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, Political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun stated that there are indications that confirm the Egyptian regime›s bad intentions towards the Palestinian cause and the Gaza Strip in Last weekend, a prominent Isparticular. raeli intelligence commentator Yossi Melman, predicted that He pointed out that the Egyptian the Egyptian army will work incitement has moved from mein coordination with the United dia informal incitement to forStates, Israel and the Pales- mal incitement which proves that tinian Authority to topple the the Egyptian media campaign rule of the Islamic Resistance against Hamas was a directed, Movement (Hamas) in the political incitement campaign.

closure of Rafah crossing, and canceling the free trade zone came in context of tightening the siege on Gaza and not required Egyptian security measures.

Gaza Strip.

Source: Agencies

The tunnels› demolition, the

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He confirmed that Hamas movement has not and will never intervene in the Egyptian internal affairs, stressing that all the Egyptian formal and informal charges were fabricated as part of the ongoing incitement against the movement.

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30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

Rafah to stay closed until Abbas back in control, says ambassador

Haneyya praises Tunisian President›s calls to lift the siege on Gaza

28/09/2013

Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya praised Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki’s statements at the General Assembly of the United Nations calling on Egyptian authorities to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip. Haneyya said Saturday in a statement to ALRAY news agency that “this position reflects the honesty of the Tunisian president and people. Marzouki had demanded on Thursday evening, in his speech before the General Assembly, the Egyptian authorities to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip «I hope the Egyptian authorities 8 |

will remove all restrictions on the movement of persons and goods in and out of Gaza.» Marzouki added that «this struggling zone [Gaza Strip] has suffered enough; the Palestinian people have suffered enough from Israeli occupation and [the West Bank] settlements.» Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador in Cairo, Barakat Al-Farra, has said that the Rafah crossing will be kept closed until the «legitimate» Palestinian Authority is back in control in Gaza and President Mahmoud Abbas›s guard can be posted on the border.

of Foreign Affairs in the Hamasled Palestinian government in Gaza expressed his amazement at Al-Farra›s remarks. «This is a strange statement which indicates the lack of any sense of national responsibility towards all Palestinians,» said Ghazi Hamad, «as well as a determination to increase the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and kill any hope that they have.» He called upon the PA in Ramallah to put an end to Al-Farra›s tendency to slander the people of the Gaza Strip and incite Egyptians against them.

Source: Agencies

The Under Secretary at the Ministry

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia


Issue No : 63

30th September, 2013

Abu Sisi is still isolated

13 Palestinian female prisoners call for highlighting their plight

26/09/2013

Thirteen Palestinian female prisoners are still held in Hasharon Israeli prison suffering very difficult detention conditions amid the deafening silence of human rights institutions and international community. The director of Ahrar center for prisoners› studies, Fuad al-Khuffash, said that that the Palestinian female prisoners suffer very difficult detention conditions due to the IPS deliberate medical negligence, ill-treatment, humiliating strip search, and being deprived

of the Israeli Prison Services Hasharon Israeli prison was (IPS) in not implementing the built during the British Man- agreement it signed to end the date years, and is known for its prisoner›s hunger strike. poor ventilation, clamminess The agreement states that Diand insect infestations. Besides rar be moved from his solitary housing the Palestinian female confinement to live with three prisoners, the complex contains other prisoners in Eshel Prison also juvenile Israeli female pris- in better detention conditions. The Captive Movement threatoners. On the other hand, Waed As- ened to take escalatory steps in sociation for prisoners› affairs case Dirar›s isolation file is not confirmed that the prisoner Di- closed. of family visits.

rar Abu Sisi is still isolated due Source: Agencies to the continuing deviousness

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia

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30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

Israel Insider

Ministers’ statements on borders expose depth of racism and extremism in Israeli politics 27/09/2013

Israel›s housing minister, Uri Ariel, has claimed that the state›s borders «extend from the Jordan River to the western border», which is, of course, the Mediterranean Sea. He told an Israeli news channel that he rejects the establishment of another state «based on the 1967 borders». This, along with Israel›s colonial-settlement policy is entirely consistent with «the teachings of the Torah» he believes. The extreme right-wing minister was speaking at the opening of a synagogue on an illegal Israeli settlement-colony in the occupied West Bank. «You are the good people who represent the Torah,» he told the settlers. This statement is just one of many racist and extreme statements made by Uri Ariel; he said recently that a Jewish temple should be built in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and that the establishment of a Palestinian state is just «a myth». Moreover, during a press conference the Israeli Minister held at the Shilo colony in the occupied West Bank, he said that the Israelis have built many temples, but they need to build what he called «the real temple on Temple Mount», which was a reference to the Noble Sanctu-

ary of Al-Aqsa, wherein stands Al-Aqsa Mosque. In a related context, Naftali Bennett, the leader of the Jewish Home Party and Israeli Minister of the Economy, expressed his belief that the establishment of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River will cause Israel «100 years of continuous war, will flood the Jewish state with millions of Palestinian refugees, and will increase international isolation». Moreover, Bennett posted on his Facebook page that he believes that such a Palestinian state will be poor and hostile, «such as the state established in Gaza in 2005», the actions of which are still «hostile and extremely dangerous». Bennett called on 7 of the 11 Likud MKs to stop negotiations; subsequently, the members sent a letter to the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Danny Danon, who is also Deputy Minister of Defence, urging him to hold a meeting for Likud Party members. It is worth noting that Danon has now called for the immediate cancellation of the Oslo Accords, the announcement that the agreement has failed, and the acknowledgement that it was a mistake. He is on record of telling the New York Times that 20 years down the line from Oslo the Israelis and Palestinians are still in negotiations. «True peace seems far away,» he insisted, «just as it was before the disclosure of the secret talks in Oslo.» The Israeli government, stressed Danon, must put an end to this «foolishness» immediately.

Source: MEMO 10 |

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia


Issue No : 63

30th September, 2013

Articles & Analyses

Egypt›s coup leaders grateful for Israeli support By: Shazia Arshad * The Egyptian army and Israel have grown much closer in the weeks since the coup d›etat. In a Ha›aretz report, Amos Harel, suggested that the Egyptian and Israeli relationship now was in fact stronger than it was during the rule of Mubarak. Following the coup, it was Israel that the Egyptians turned to ensure that the American government and the new Egyptian coup regime would reach an understanding. Although the toppling of the democratically elected government was widely accepted as a coup, Israel prevented the use of the term and encouraged America to accept events as a regime change. In doing so, Israel ensured that American financial support to Egypt could continue, as acceptance of a coup would mean that aid would have to be suspended under American law.

continued US aid for Egypt›s army has made it possible for a stronger bond between the two to develop. Events in Egypt since the coup have demonstrated how grateful Egypt›s army are to Israel. Indeed, the Egyptian army›s particular focus on the Sinai and Gaza has won favour with the Israelis. Gazans in particular have been bearing the brunt of the warmer relationship between the two regimes. In recent weeks, the Egyptian army have closed all tunnels between Egypt and Gaza and restricted the border crossing at Rafah. The closure of the tunnels has had a significant impact, forcing Gaza to turn to Israel and import fuel through Israel at six times the cost. The tunnel economy, which has provided basic needs for Gaza›s blockaded residents, has been shut down and will cause further financial stress to the Gazan economy. The restrictions on the Rafah Israel›s role in securing crossing have limited the

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travel of Palestinians in to and out of Gaza, including those who need access to urgent medical treatment. The Rafah crossing had allowed freer movement during the presidency of Mohamed Morsi, much to Israel›s chagrin. Egypt›s new political direction has also left Hamas out in the cold, this time much to Israel›s delight. Prior to the coup, with increasing support from the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Hamas› strength in Gaza had increased and Hamas used the opportunity to oppose Assad›s civil war in Syria. With | 11


30th September, 2013

Issue No : 63

In the Sinai, the Egyptian army have been circulating rumours of terrorist activity too. With claims that Islamist terror groups are active in the region, the army have increased their presence with more troops, tanks and helicopters in the region. Under the Israel-Egypt peace treaty the Egyptians require Israel›s agreement for them to be able to do so, and in yet another example of the Egypt-Israel bond growing stronger, the Israeli›s have 12 |

The Egyptian army have been able to mount a coup against the democratically elected Egyptian president, ensure that America continues to bank roll the country and strengthen their grip on power since the coup thanks to the work, and the words, of the Israelis.

the opposition to Assad, Hamas relied on Egypt, but with the turn of events, Hamas now face increasing isolation. To further weaken Hamas, the Egyptian army circulated rumours of Hamas›s involvement in terrorist activities in Egypt. Last week›s attempted assassination of the Egyptian interior minister was used to implicate Hamas, when local media sources suggested that they had been involved in the bomb attack. Despite the clear fallacy of the claim, the rumours have worked to suppress Hamas in Gaza, as the Israeli›s have wanted to do for some time now.

sanctioned the increase. The Egyptian army have reported killed 100 activists in the Sinai, wounded and arrested hundreds of others. Further reports have indicated that the Egyptian army is currently developing buffer zone in the Sinai to prevent weapons smuggling into and out of Gaza. Reports suggested that the buffer zone would be a military controlled area and that the residents currently there were being forced from their homes with no warnings. The Egyptian army have been able to mount a coup against the democratically elected Egyptian president, ensure that America continues to bank roll the country and strengthen their grip on power since the coup thanks to the work, and the words, of the Israelis. Whilst they may not be making the strengthening of their relationship public, the Egyptians want to ensure that the Israeli›s know how grateful they are for their support. In this vein, the army›s attacks to protect Israel›s interests are sure to increase.

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia


Issue No : 63

Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia

30th September, 2013

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