Showing posts with label Ramallah. Show all posts

Thursday, June 22, 2017

UN Excuses Wife-Beating as Natural Reaction to 'Israeli Occupation' - Israel Today

UN Excuses Wife-Beating as Natural Reaction to 'Israeli Occupation'

Thursday, June 22, 2017 | Israel Today Staff

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First, they called terrorism a "natural reaction" to the presence of Jews in the Holy Land. Now, Palestinian men are being excused by none other than the United Nations for taking out their frustrations with Israel on their own spouses.

At a UN Human Rights Council debate earlier this month, the director of UN Watch, Hillel Neuer, challenged a new report blaming Israel for when Palestinian husbands beat their wives.

"Is it right to continue infantilizing Palestinians, such that when a man in Ramallah beats his wife, we encourage him to say ‘Israel made me do it’?" Neuer asked the report's author, Dubravka Šimonovic, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women.

Neuer further noted that while Israeli counter-terrorism measure might put pressure on the Palestinian population, that doesn't explain why violence against women is equally prevalent in the neighboring countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.

Nor was there any excuse for Šimonovic's lack of actual evidence to support her conclusion.

But, most notably, Neuer wondered how the report could draw a dubious link between Israeli security and Palestinian spousal abuse, while ignoring entirely the regular weekly sermons by Palestinian Muslim clerics encouraging such domestic violence.

Neuer clearly hit a nerve, because the chair of the debate, UNHRC Vice-President Amr Ahmed Ramadan, broke with protocol by refusing to thank the speaker, stating instead:

“I would like to say thank you, but I can’t—because I think that you need to respect this Council more in the next days.”

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Sunday, October 30, 2016

Palestinian Woman Becomes Christian, Defends Israel - Israel Today

Palestinian Woman Becomes Christian, Defends Israel

Sunday, October 30, 2016 | Israel Today Staff

Topics:

Palestinians

Sandra Solomon is the niece of Saher Habash, one of the founders of the ruling Palestinian party Fatah and a leader in the campaign of terror known as the Second Intifada.

She was born in Ramallah and later lived in Saudi Arabia. In both places, Solomon was raised to seek violence against the Jews. As a child she was taught to “hate the Jews, hail Hitler and praise the Holocaust,” Solomon said this month in an interview Israel’s Channel 2 News.

Speaking at an event earlier this summer in Canada, where she now resides, Solomon confirmed why genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians is slipping further out of reach:

“They blame Jews for everything. They rejoice in the killing of Jews. There is no respect, no love, no peace, just anger and hatred for others.”

As a young woman, Solomon quickly became acquainted with the harshness of Islamic Sharia Law, and disturbed over the utter intolerance for all non-Muslims, not just the Jews.

Some time after moving to Canada, she converted to Christianity and became an ardent defender of the reborn Jewish state.

“The State of Israel was created not to be erased but to stay,” she said.

Asked by her Israeli interviewers if she does not fear for her life given that most of her family is calling for her blood, Solomon replied: “I stand behind what I say and I will tell the truth even if it leads to my death one day. I will at least know that I’ve had the honor to die for the truth.”

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Monday, February 8, 2016

Poll: Majority of Palestinians Oppose Third Intifada, Prefer Fatah over Hamas By JNI Media - BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

Palestinians clash with Israeli soldiers at the village of Silwad, near the Palestinian city of Ramallah, Sunday October 26, 2014. (Photo: STR/Flash90)

Poll: Majority of Palestinians Oppose Third Intifada, Prefer Fatah over Hamas

By JNI Media February 8, 2016 BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

“And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria.” (2 Chronicles 32:21)

According to a poll conducted by the Arab World for Research and Development institute (AWRAD), the majority of Palestinians currently oppose a third intifada. According to AWRAD, this may be reflective of the security and economic conditions cited in its report, but also the fact that a majority of Arabs in Judea and Samaria believes a new intifada would impede statehood; a reversal of sentiments expressed in AWRAD’s October 2015 poll, conducted in the early days of the current crisis, when a majority expressed support for a new uprising. A strong majority of respondents currently opposes the dissolution of the PA and the return of a full Israeli occupation.

AWRAD, a research, consulting and development firm based in Ramallah, on Saturday issued a “Public Opinion Poll in the West Bank and Gaza Strip” for January 2016 which may offer the first glimmer of hope for an end to the current wave of terror. Fieldwork for the poll was conducted from 27 to 28 January 2016, with a total of 1,200 Judea and Samaria Arabs interviewed.

Overall, four-fifths of respondents support immediate legislative and presidential elections, and in a hypothetical presidential election, the PLO’s Mahmoud Abbas would defeat Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh, with a greater support for Abbas’s candidacy in Gaza. Additionally, in terms of legislative elections, Fatah (PLO) is the most popular political party, receiving more than double the support of Hamas.

According to AWRAD, Violence since October 2015 has negatively impacted the lives of the average Judea and Samaria Arabs. Majorities of respondents (especially in the West Bank) report that the security in their region has diminished, along with economic conditions. Palestinians report deteriorating economic circumstances, shrinking opportunities for investment and loss of income or jobs as a result of the current security situation. The strain of the present circumstances is reflected in views towards the future. A majority of the Arabs polled believe “Palestine” is currently heading in the wrong direction. However, despite this apprehension, roughly half of them are optimistic about the future.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Foreign Journalist (Italian) Gets Real About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Aviel Schneider ISRAEL TODAY.

Foreign Journalist (Italian) Gets Real About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Wednesday, December 16, 2015 | Aviel Schneider ISRAEL TODAY.

Topics:

Israel

“The Palestinians feel the rising threat of ISIS and understand that despite the [negative feelings toward] the Israeli occupation they are more secure under Israeli rule than anywhere else in the region.”

That was one of the conclusions drawn in the new book “Jihad” by Italian journalist Mourizio Molinari, who for the past 15 years served as a Middle East correspondent. Most recently, Molinari was offered the prestigious position of editor-in-chief for one of the largest circulation Italian newspapers, La Stampa.

In an interview with Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, Molinari explained how Western understanding of the situation in Israel had become increasingly distorted.

For example, “in the Arab village of Duma, following the tragedy of the Dawabshe family, cries for revenge [against the Israelis] were widely published. But villagers told me that while the Jews were indeed their enemies, they had only killed on average three Palestinians a day, while 100 a day were dying in Syria,” Molinari recounted.

Molinari further noted that in the de facto Palestinian capital of Ramallah, local Palestinian entrepreneurs are eager to find Israeli partners.

Similarly, “Palestinians in Ramallah are trying to get their family members living in Jordan to come to Israel, because they understand that only Israel can guarantee their safety,” said the Italian.

For years, Molinari worked twice a week in Ramallah, and recalled some of the many conversations he had with Palestinians over a meal. “I’ve listened as Palestinians sitting next to me at the table called their grandparents or other relatives in Amman, urging them to come to Ramallah.”

But Molinari spent most of his time in Jerusalem, and described life in Israel as both fascinating and challenging. “The average Israeli you meet on the street is very intelligent,” he said. “And you can sit on a bus alone and speak to a grandma and hear the most exciting life story.”

According to Molinari, a majority of Palestinians would be willing to lay down their arms and live in peace with Israel, “but, just as in Israel, they don’t currently see a way forward toward that goal.”

He believes the threat posed by ISIS is an opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians. “ISIS is a threat to both peoples,” he pointed out. “Before it struck Israel and the Jews, ISIS would first annihilate the Palestinians.”

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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

President of Refugees or Holy Land Celebrity?

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 | Ryan Jones ISRAEL TODAY

Topics:

Palestinians

The Palestinian Authority and its collaborators in the mainstream media like to paint the Palestinian-controlled territories as a land oppressed and destitute. But one has only to look at the palatial living standards of the Palestinian leadership to realize something’s fishy.

This week, photos emerged on social media showing the newly completed palace of Palestinian “president” Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah (pictured left). Many commenters could be excused for at first glance thinking this was an artist’s rendition of the historical and grandiose Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

Plans to construct this princely dwelling were not unknown. Years ago the Palestinian Economic Council for Development & Reconstruction (PECDAR) posted the project details. And in late–2010 Abbas was photographed by the AP as he laid the cornerstone of this new “West Bank” chateau.

But there seemed to be some discrepancies between particulars provided by PECDAR and, well, reality.

First, the Palestinian leadership described the project as a “public facility,” though it is doubtful the average public will ever see its interior. It is listed as a “guest palace,” ostensibly a residence for visiting dignitaries. But that begs two questions: a.) can the cash-strapped Palestinians really afford to be building such lavish “guest houses”?; and b.) if that’s the presidential “guest” palace, what does Abbas’ primary residence look like?!

By way of comparison, here’s a photo of the official, Israeli taxpayer-funded residence of Israel’s prime minister (foreign dignitaries have to stay in a hotel):

The second glaring issue is that PECDAR claims construction of Abbas’ palace was “self-financed.” But as any informed observer knows, the bulk of the Palestinian Authority national budget comes from foreign aid, and even then there’s a huge deficit.

In other words, take a look at the new home your taxes just bought for the head of the PLO!

And, in the meantime, Abbas and his regime are still spending very, very little of that aid to actually boost the Palestinian economy and better the lives of the people he claims to serve.

Several years ago, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ) conducted research revealing that since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1995, the Palestinian Authority had received 25 times more financial aid per capita (considering current inflation) than the citizens of Europe received under the Marshall Plan following World War II.

For those who know their history, the Marshall Plan financially enabled Europe to successfully rebuild following the most devastating war in history.

And yet, having been handed 25 times more cash and resources than post-war Europe, the Palestinian Authority continues to complain of unemployment, a faltering economy and destitute living conditions.

But hey, they’ve got enough to build presidential palaces!

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

ISIS Rings Bound for 'Palestine' Confiscated by Israel

Tuesday, May 26, 2015 | Israel Today Staff

Topics:

Palestinians

Israeli Customs agents earlier this month discovered 120 rings bearing ISIS slogans bound for a jewelry shop in the de facto Palestinian Authority capital of Ramallah.

Like all packages transiting via Ben Gurion Airport en route to the Palestinian Authority, this particular package from a seller in Turkey underwent strict security checks.

During the course of these checks, an Israeli agent well versed in Arabic noticed the now-famous ISIS slogans and immediately informed superiors.

Israeli Customs will destroy the merchandise, barring a successful appeal by the Palestinian buyer.

But that doesn’t lessen the concern over the fact that in the Palestinian Authority-controlled territories, there is apparently a market for merchandise promoting the ISIS ideology.

“The thought that there are people who affiliate themselves with a murderous agenda like ISIS is simply shocking,” one Customs agent told Israel’s Ynet news portal. “A large number of rings mean that there are buyers. It’s scary and shocking to know that in the lands of the Palestinian Authority there are those who support that murderous organization.”

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Thursday, June 22, 2017