Hamas has a British documentary filmmaker behind bars after he entered Gaza to show support for a Palestinian accused of collaborating with Israel. Paul Martin will serve fifteen days for the offense. The Hamas decision to hold Martin surprised many in the journalistic community as the group has largely had a hands-off approach to foreign correspondents since seizing the Strip in 2007.
It was all caught on tape. Demands for sex by Palestinian Chief of Staff Dr. Rafik al-Husseini from a female subordinate sent Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbass office reeling. Abbas dismissed al-Husseini, and set up a commission to investigate.
Lebanon rarely joins together, but it happened this week when tens of thousands of Lebanese marched on Beirut to mark the fifth anniversary of slain Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Marchers came from all factions of Lebanons political sphere to wave the countrys national flag. Current Prime Minister Saad Hariri made amends with Syria recently, which was behind the elder Hariris killing.
Elections in the West Bank are set for July 17, but the decision comes with Hamas’s refusal to participate. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the elections to be held. They were supposed to have taken place in January, but a deepening power struggle between Abbas’s Fatah Party and Hamas prevented that from happening.
Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal sought to downplay his handshake with Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon at a conference in Munich. Instead, the Prince called for the international community to address what he called Israeli threats toward Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians. That statement came in response to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s suggestion that Israel would take down the Assad Regime in war after Syria threatened war with Israel earlier in the week.
It’s official. Iran is enriching uranium to high grade levels starting from Tuesday morning. Tehran announced it began the process with United Nations I.A.E.A. observers on hand. Leaders say they’re enriching uranium to a 20% grade to do experiments with medical isotopes. At least 80% enrichment is necessary to build a nuclear weapon. Iran currently enriches to 3.5% – the level needed to run a nuclear power plant.
Could it be the march to war? Syrian President Bashar Assad pledged his support to Lebanon should Israel attack. What was left to implication is that Syria would also stand behind Hizbullah. That statement comes amid a growing war of words between the three counties, but in contrast to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's statement yesterday. Netanyahu extended an olive branch to Assad - saying Israel wants peace with Syria - and that negotiations without pre-conditions should take place.
Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel wants peace with Syria and the Palestinians. That statement comes just after Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman fired strong words at Syria and the Assad regime in an ongoing war of words between the two countries.
Netanyahu said Israel wants peace with all of its neighbors, and that negotiations must take place without the Arab world placing ‘pre-conditions that mean huge concessions on Israel’s part ahead of time.’
Hamas strongman Mahmoud Al-Zahar blames Prime Minister Netanyahu for breakdowns in the negotiations for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalits release. Al-Zahar told the BBC that negotiations went backwards after Netanyahu got involved.
The Prime Minister reportedly balked at Hamass demand that between 1,000 and 7,000 Palestinian prisoners be released in exchange for Shalit. Many of those prisoners have been directly involved in attacks on Israelis.
Netanyahu responded to Al Zahars claim, saying if Hamas wants a deal, it will happen.
Despite the condemnations - Israel continues to build in East Jerusalem. Just a few days ago Jerusalem's Planning and Construction Committee authorized the establishment of a new Jewish neighborhood near the Mount of Olives. It will constitute an extension of a Yeshiva school named "Bet Orot", which now operates in several caravans. .According to the plan, four residential buildings will be built, which will accomodate 24 Jewish families.
The movement, Viva Palestina, has received an approval of the Egyptian authorities to bring to Gaza several tons of humanitarian supplies. 528 activists from 17 countries entered the port El Arish in Egypt to board a ship carrying 150 vehicles filled with food and medical supplies. The activists of the pro-Palestinian movement will soon enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing.
Palestinian President Abu Mazen in Egypt began a round of diplomatic meetings to consider a possible resumption of talks with Israel. Furthermore, Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad has recently stated that the future Palestinian state will be free of barriers and settlements. It also urged the international community to intervene to stop Israel's disregard of Palestinian rights.
Hundreds of Israeli Arabs and left-wing activists from Israel and other countries came to Erez Crossing to protest the blockade of the Gaza strip. Prime minister of the Hamas Haniyeh conveyed a message to the protesters, using knesset member Talab El Sana's phone, saying: We will meet at El-Aqsa mosque and Jerusalem will continue being Arab & Islamic. 03/01/10
Hamas announced to have foiled an attempt to gather information of the whereabouts of the kinapped soldier Gilad Shalit. Hamas arrested a group of collaborators, who were planning to kidnap a senior member of Hamas military wing, in order to transfer him to the zionists.
Shalit's deal will not go through so soon. Reprensentatives of the movement of Aza left Syria & the rejection of the deal will be delivered in the coming days. Hamas said:" The impression is that Israel is not interested in the deal, but stressed: that further attempts of negotiations will continue. 03/01/10
Egypt on Tuesday dispatched a number of ambulances to the Gaza Strip to
assist in evacuating wounded Palestinians to local hospitals.
