JULY 2000
Monday July 31, 2000
Saudi Arabia backs the Palestinian position on Jerusalem
President Arafat expressed relief for the important support given by Saudi Arabia to the Palestinian position on Jerusalem. The Palestinian leader, who initiated yesterday an Arab tour to update Arab heads of state on the outcome of Camp David Summit, met in Jedda yesterday with King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdulah, and the Saudi Minster of Defense Prince Sultan. The Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mustafa Deeb said Palestine and Saudi points of view were identical towards all issues discussed. He said the two leaders discussed the possibility of holding an Arab summit or an Arab-Islamic summit to discus the issue of Jerusalem.
President Arafat flew to Sana yesterday where he met with his Yemeni counterpart president Ali Saleh who voiced his full support to the Palestinian position.
The Palestinian leader and his accompanying delegation will arrive in Rabat, Morocco, today for a meeting with King Mohammad VI and the Jordanian monarch currently on a visit to Morocco. He will fly to Tunis and plans to leave for Damascus to meet President Bashar Assad.
Within the same context, the Yemen news agency quoted President Arafat saying he might declare the statehood if the Arab States have the same opinion.
He also stressed full Palestine sovereignty over East Jerusalem, which was the major obstacle in Camp David.
Within the same context, Palestine and American sources predicted a second three-way summit before September 13 if Barak's government escapes a no confidence motion scheduled for today.
On the national level, Palestinian official said the peace talks resumed yesterday between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators will continue for several days. They are expected to produce negative results particularly as the major controversial issues were thoroughly debated in Camp David and failed to bring about a peaceful settlement due to the Palestinian position on Jerusalem.
A senior Palestinian source said the Jerusalem issue remain the main hurdle before a peaceful settlement. He said the Palestinian wil not yield to pressures and hoped the Arab leaders will withstand the American pressures with regard to Jerusalem.
In Cairo, the Arab League condemned Clinton's statement to relocate the American embassy to Jerusalem. Simultaneously, it backed President Arafat's plans to declare the Statehood on Sept., 13 with Jerusalem as its capital.
The Secretary General of the Arab League Dr. Esmat Abdul Majid commented on Clinton's statement saying such statements contradict with the American letter of guarantees.
Sunday July 30, 2000
Arafat declares the State in due time
Following his meeting with French counterpart President Jacques Chirac yesterday in Paris, President Yasser Arafat said in a press conference that he is looking forward for the most appropriate time to declare the Palestinian State taking into consideration the recommendations of his allies and friends.
Arafat's statement came in reply to President Clinton's warnings against a unilateral declaration of the Statehood. President Arafat said that this Palestinian State was supposed to be declared on May 4th, 1999, but it was delayed until after the Israeli elections according to the advice of friendly countries including Clinton administration.
During a 90-minute meeting, President Arafat updated his French counterpart on the Camp David talks. He also met French PM Lionel Jospin and told him that the Palestinian State will be declared next September. The President thanked the French government and people for their support to the Palestinian just cause. Before heading to Paris, President Arafat received a letter from US President Bill Clinton.
President Arafat's political advisor, Nabil Abu Rudineh, told France press that President Clinton has promised to advance the peace talks.
During a meeting with MK Talab Al-Sanei' in Ramallah, President Arafat expressed his dissatisfaction with Clinton's statement on the declaration of the statehood. The President considered Clinton's statement as an offense to his status. He said we are anxious to approach a peace agreement with Israel but on the basis of the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
In another statement, Presidential Secretary General Tayib Abdulrahim hailed the US role, which he said, is continuing despite the failure of the Camp David Summit. He also welcomed Egypt's demand for holding a mini Arab summit.
In Ramalah, the Secretary General of the PLO's Executive Committee Mahmoud Abbas divulged that President Arafat came under tense pressures during Camp Daivd summit, which he described "indurable" by a human being. He excluded the possibility of reaching a peaceful settlemtn with Israeli without resolving the issues of Jerusalem and refugees.
Thursday July 27, 2000
President Yasser Arafat and his accompanying delegation were accorded a hero reception upon their arrival from Camp David that failed as a direct result of Israel's reluctance to recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The masses saluted President Arafat's steadfastness before intense pressures to concede Palestinian rights. The Palestine leader renewed his assertions that Jerusalem will be the capital of the Palestinian State. The crowds carried President Arafat on shoulders in an emotional demonstration to renew their allegiance to his wise leadership.
Advocating the Arab and Islamic interests at Camp David, the President also hinted that the peace talks will continue through American mediation.
Tuesday July 25, 2000
The Camp David talks very close to an end
The Camp David talks enter another decisive stage after President Clinton decided to invest all his efforts in hammering out a deal. Immediately after his return to Camp David from Japan, President Clinton met first with PM Barak before holding another meeting with President Arafat late last night. He presided over a meeting for Palestinian and Israeli delegations joined by representative of the American peace groups that continued until 5:00 a.m.
Palestinian diplomatic sources dismissed until this moment any hope for reaching a compromise.
President Clinton will assess the talks to decide whether they will lead to a deal.
Up to now, there is no ceiling set to finalize the negotiations, though some media channels expected Wednesday to be its closing day due to previous engagements for the American president.
Close sources to the negotiations said the main problem facing negotiators is the control of the holy places in Jerusalem's old city. One source said this issue creates an atmosphere of discomfort and a state of pessimism whenever it is discussed.
The two delegations discussed other issues pertinent to land borders ad refugees.
For his part, Secretary General of Arafat's office Tayib Abdulrahim said the Palestinian leader believes the ongoing negotiations with PM Barak are at their most difficult stage, with no glimpse of hope, to advance the talks. Abdulrahim said he spoke with President Arafat and denied Israeli press reports concerning imminent agreement on all issues with the exception of Jerusalem.
In Washington, head of the Palestinian representative office Hassan Abdulrahman admitted the situation is extremely difficult though the talks are going on.
He said, the gap between both positions is wide, and that narrowing this gap require Israeli decisions in order to reach a deal.
He identified the difficult issues at the negotiating table as Jerusalem, land and refugees.
Within the same context, President Arafat chaired a meeting for the Palestinian delegation to discus the status of the talks.
A Palestinian source said the Palestinian position is either to get an honorable agreement or to return back.
The source denied press reports speaking about difference among the Palestinian delegation.
According to unconfirmed reports the American peace proposals are based on:
On the other hand Washington confirmed its position on UN resolution 242 and Jerusalem did not change. On a separate note, head of the Palestinian National Council Saleem Zanoon said the Palestinian statehood will be declared on time with or without a successful end to the Camp David talks.
In another statement the Israeli minister of justice Yossi Beilin said it is still possible to reach a "remarkable settlement" with the Palestinians on the issue of sovereignty over East Jerusalem.
He said we will find a solution after the Palestinian and Israeli positions move forward on this issue.
He added nobody would accept failure at Camp David.
Last Friday the Israeli minister termed the Israeli myth of undivided Jerusalem, as a mere illusion.
Monday July 24, 2000
Few hours before US President Bill Clinton's return to Camp David , the spokesperson of the State Department announced that peace talks are held by small group's level . He said the negotiations are seriously debating all relevant issues.
The Israeli delegation tried to exercise pressure on the Palestinians but the Palestinian delegation is still clinging to its official stance . Today's talks were described as the most decisive and crucial.
In New York, the head of the PLO Representative Office said the ball is now in the Israeli court. He said President Clinton is requested to exercise pressure on Israel to comply with UN resolutions.
He added, there will be no peace agreement without full Palestinian control on Arab East Jerusalem.
For his part, the Secretary General of President Arafat's office Tayeb Abdulrahim said the Camp David talks are facing real crisis due to Barak's five "no's"and the Israeli policies.
Well-informed sources said yesterday the proposals submitted so far to resolve the issue of Jerusalem do not meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
In Tel Aviv , the Israeli Minister of Justice Yossi Beilin contended the Israeli sovereignty in East Jerusalem is an illusion and a mirage. In the Vatican , the Pope called for granting a special status for Jerusalem with international guarantees.
A part from Camp David ,Hebrew reports revealed the Israeli army was put on a state of full alert by dispatching more reinforcement to the occupied territories for a possible flare up of violence.
Within the same context, Gen.- Abdulrazaq Al-Majaydeh, Secretary of the Palestinian National Secretary council, said yesterday that the Israeli army has armed Jewish settlements in Gaza strip and fortified its military positions .He said there is no justification for these provocative actions.
In Ramallah , the Secretary of Fateh's High Committee Marwan Barghouthi said :the Palestinians will stage a partial strikes next Wednesday to express allegiance to Arafat's leadership and to the Palestinian positions .
Saturday July 22, 2000
The Israeli daily Ha'aretz published the main points of an American proposal presented to bridge the gap between the positions of both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Here are the main points:
The absence of president Clinton and the Saturday Jewish holiday were clearly felt in the camp David summit negotiations. While unconfirmed reports talked about President Clinton cutting short his visit to Japan in order to return early to Camp David, the PLO representative Hassan Abdulrahman said that he did not foresee any breakthrough in the horizon, adding that he was not aware of any American proposals on Jerusalem despite Israeli media reports on the matter.
The Vatican, on its part called for international guarantees for the religious character of the city, the G-8 leaders praised President Arafat and PM Ehud Barak for their efforts to achieve peace.
The Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN Nasser Qudwa said yesterday that the future Palestinian state must enjoy full membership of the UN General Assembly regardless of the outcome of the peace negotiations with Israel.
Qudwa called for full participation of Palestine at the UN millennium session to be held in September few days before President Arafat announce the establishment of the Palestinian State on Sept. 13th 2000.
The Israeli occupation authority continues fortifying the Israeli settlements south of Gaza governorates. People reported that the occupation army continued digging trenches at several places in the settlement. It also placed cement blocks to fortify the areas bordering the Palestinian ruled areas. It is worth noting that Israel has been actively working on bringing tanks to the Goush Etsion, and Gaza Settlements.
Thursday July 20, 2000
Last minute efforts to save Camp David talks from collapsing
US efforts continued unabated until late last night in an attempt to hammer out an agreement between the Palestinian and Israeli delegations.
The talks were extended until mid-night. The White House announced last night that the Palestinian Israeli talks are continuing in order to reach a deal.
After nine days of talks, the gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions over controvercial issues particularly Jerusalem remain unsolved.
The Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee Mahmoud Abbas left Camp David yesterday to be the first Palestinian official to leave Camp David.
For his part, Head of the PLO representative office in Washington, Hassan Abdulrahman blamed Israel for deviating from UN Resolution 242, which caused crises in the negotiations. He also stressed the important significance of Jerusalem for the Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nations.
According to press reports, the Palestinian delegation rejected Israeli proposals for Palestinian civil administration for some neighborhoods in Jerusalem and joint sovereignty over others.
The Israeli proposals suggested an Israeli sovereignty over Magharbi quarter and Al-Boraq (wailing wall) wall.
President Arafat rejected the Israeli proposals telling President Clinton and PM Barak "The Arab leader who would surrender Jerusalem is not born yet".
In Camp David reliable Palestinian sources said yesterday President Arafat may leave Camp David with a partial agreement with Israel. The Palestinian leader is expected to make an Arab tour to Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Indonesia before visiting Egypt.
In Israel, eyewitnesses said the Israeli occupation authorities are exercising military drills for its soldiers near Israeli settlements at Gush Katif and Kfar Darom in Gaza Strip.
According to the reports, over twenty lorries carrying tanks were seen heading to Gush Qatif settlement.
The Israeli army dispatched six half-armed vehicles to Hebron in anticipation of a flare up in the area in the aftermath of the collapse of the Camp David talks.
Wednesday July 19, 2000
The fate of the Camp David Summit will be decided today
Camp David negotiations intensified yesterday amid secrecy in an attempt to break the impasse in the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations before president Clinton's schedule d departure to Japan to attend the G-8 economic summit.
The PLO's representative in Washington Hassan Abdulrahamn described the negotiations by saying, the situation is very difficult and all files are still open.
" Israel is reneging on some understandings previously reached and our positions are well known and we are not ready to concede our legitimate rights" Abdulrahmn said.
The three sides participating in the summit agreed that the negotiations entered a critical stage but disagreed on describing the situation as crisis.
According to news agencies, the issue of Jerusalem pushed the negotiations into a critical situation. In the meanwhile, President Arafat announced his adherence to Palestinian sovereignty over Jerusalem and rejected the Israeli proposals to give the PNA 95% of the West Bank in return for full Israeli control over Jerusalem.
Reports have it that President Clinton intensified his meetings with Barak and Arafat as his scheduled departure for Japan approaches. It has also been reported that President Arafat was about to inform UN Sectary General Koffi Anan of the failure of the negotiations.
Mass demonstration in support of achieving the national rights
Dozens of thousands of citizens demonstrated in Hebron yesterday calling for the refugees' right to return, and the Palestinian right to statehood in the 1967 border with Jerusalem as its capital. Young children participated by holding banners showing names of Palestinian villages destroyed by Israel.
Other demonstrations in Ramallah and Gaza called for adhering to achieving the Palestinian national rights including those of statehood, Jerusalem and the right of return. The demonstrations also called for resisting the Israeli and American pressure on the Palestinian delegation at the Camp David summit.
Poll: Majority of the Americans support the Palestinian right to statehood and return
The Arab American institute published results of poll yesterday showing that an American majority support Palestinian rights to statehood and return. Also the Zughbi international institute conducted a poll with ninety American citizens as a sample. The results showed that 66% support the establishment of a Palestinian state, with 13% opposing. 74% supported the Palestinian right of return while 9% opposed that.
The Israeli occupation army does not rule out possibility of confrontations
The Israeli occupation army said yesterday that it does not rule out the possibility of confrontations with the Palestinians should the Camp David summit fail. The occupation army also said that it will use live ammunition and refrain from using tear gas and rubber coated bullets.
Tuesday July 18, 2000
Israel orders Jordan valley citizens to evacuate their homes
The Israeli occupation issued orders to Palestinian citizens ordering them to leave their homes under the pretext of declaring the area a military zone. The citizens’ committee on confronting the Israeli settlement expansion in the Jordan valley area said that the Palestinian citizens have documents proving their ownership of their homes in that area.
Israel hinders environmental projects
Environment minister Yousif Abu Safeya said that, he doubted the possibility of improving the quality of the environment in Palestine as long as Israel adopts the same policy it is following now, and added that Israel hinders all Palestinian projects aimed at improving the quality of the Palestinian environment under lame excuses. Abu Safeya named sewage water projects as one of those Israel hinders by preventing works on such projects.
Monday July 17, 2000
A Palestinian source close to the Camp David talks told Reuter yesterday that it will be clear within the next forty eight hours whether it would be possible to reach an agreement between the Palestinian and the Israeli delegations.
He said the Americans are exercising pressure to reach agreement by next Wednesday.
On the opposite side, Israeli sources said it would be evident within the next 24 hours whether President Arafat is eager to reach an agreement or to abort the summit.
The spokesperson of PM Barak's office said it is premature to assess the outcome of Camp David.
Political sources said Israel is prepared to restore 94% of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the Palestinians.
As for East Jerusalem occupied by Israel in June 1967, the Israelis hinted of giving the Palestinian administrative control on Arab neighborhoods in the holy city under "Israeli sovereignty." Well-informed sources expected the Camp David summit to end with a statement illustrating the Palestinian and Israeli positions and calling for another summit before the end of this year.
Within this context, the White House considered the statement made by Israeli FM David Levy yesterday on not scoring any tangible progress in Camp David as "inappropriate" hinting that it came from a person outside the summit.
The head of the Negev Reclamation Authority was quoted as saying that PM Barak plans to give the Palestinians land in the Negev in return for keeping some Jewish settlements.
In Jerusalem Dr. Attalah Hanna, the spokesperson of the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land said yesterday the separation of Christian holy shrines from the Jerusalem issue tantamount to a conspiracy against the holy city and the Palestinian people. He said the Christians are part of the Palestinian people dismissing all attempts to create a crack in the Palestinian society.
In Palestine, huge popular rallies were organized in the West Bank and Gaza Strip yesterday to voice support for President Arafat and his accompanying delegation.
In Israel, tens of thousands of Jewish settlers gathered at Rabin's square in Tel-Aviv yesterday to condemn the Camp David summit. The Israeli TV reported about 150,000 person gathered in the square to criticize Barak who is "leading them into the unknown".
Sunday July 16, 2000
Camp David talks move in a vicious circle
A midst a high tense atmosphere, the three-way summit in Camp David ended its fifth day without scoring any real progress. It is likely the summit will be extended for another period or alternatively to leave Camp David leaving behind negotiators to hammer out an agreement.
President Clinton met with both President Arafat and PM Barak for the second time in five days. It has been learned that the Jerusalem issue is the most difficult one facing the summit.
Reliable sources said tension was noticed when both sides started discussing vital issues like Jerusalem, the borders, refugees and settlements.
Some political observers expect Camp David to culminate in declaring a Palestinian state to be initially without defined borders or a capital. The declaration could be made on Sept 13, the deadline set for its declaration.
Settlers attack Palestinians in Hebron
Scores of Palestinian citizens including seven journalists were admitted to Hebron hospital after a barbaric attack against them by hundreds of Jewish settlers escorted by Israeli occupation soldiers.
The settlers said to be deeply worried about the future of their illegal settlements illegally built in the occupied territories stormed into Palestinian houses and attacked women and children along the highway from Qiryat Arba to the Ibrahimi Mosque and at the vegetable market in Hebron's old city.
The Patriarchs of Jerusalem sent a letter to the Camp David Summit
The patriarchs of Jerusalem yesterday sent an urgent message on behalf of Christian churches in Jerusalem and the holy land to Presidents Arafat and Clinton and PM Barak, urging them to reach a peaceful settlement to the Palestinian - Israeli conflict.
They said they are praying for just and comprehensive peace. The patriarchs asked the three leaders to exert full efforts to hammer out a peaceful settlement in the region.
Saturday July 15, 2000
The ongoing negotiations at Camp David have taken a decisive form following a reported American initiative containing ideas supposed to bridge the gap between the Israeli and the Palestinian sides. The Palestinian side rejected the ideas and the Americans subsequently withdrew them.
It was also reported that a new deadline to end the summit will be chosen instead of the present one of July 18th. It was further reported that, the negotiating teams were broken into small groups directly working on elements of the final status issues.
Thursday July 13, 2000
Marathon talks at Camp David
For the second consecutive day yesterday, the three-way summit deliberations continued at Camp David with bilateral meetings held by US President Bill Clinton with both President Arafat and PM Barak.
No single meeting was arranged so far between President Arafat and PM Barak while informal contacts are continuing.
A senior White House spokesman said the talks entered a critical stage focusing on the main issues.
In view of the media blackout, it is not clear whether the summit scored any progress. US sources described the talks "serious" and were conducted between parties at various levels.
Some press reports said the Palestinians and Israelis are expecting US proposals to approximate their varying positions. Close sources to the summit said the US government is expected to submit proposals today on the crucial issues.
However, Palestinian minister of state for parliament affairs Nabil Amr told reporters in Washington that the Americans are asked to present initiatives. He said the Palestinians are not going to give further concessions particularly in regard to Jerusalem or the Palestinian territories occupied by Israeli in June 1967.
In Israel the head of the Israeli military intelligence unit said, President Arafat will not sign a document ending the Palestinian - Israeli conflict. He warned the Palestinians will try to capture Jewish settlements in case the summit fails to scoring progress.
Press reports said the Israeli army is distributing rifles and machine gnus on Jewish settlers in anticipation of the summit failure. MK Haim Ramon ruled out the possibility of reaching agreement on Jerusalem.
He said the Israeli government is prepared to exchange land with the Palestinians and to adjourn discussing the Jerusalem issue or giving the Palestinians access to East Jerusalem.
President Arafat chairs a meeting of the Palestinian leadership at Camp David
It has been learned that President Arafat will preside over a meeting of the PLO Executive Committee and Cabinet Ministers at Camp David today to evaluate the outcome of the Camp David's talks and the meetings between Presidents Arafat and Clinton. Minster of State for the Parliament Affairs Nabil Amr told reporters the Palestinian asked the US Government to allow the entry of some Palestinian officials to Camp David after the Clinton Administration banned the entry to the site of any person from outside the official delegations.
It was not clear yet whether the US Government will agree to this Palestinian request. However political observers believed this request will not be accepted.
Wednesday July 12, 2000
Camp David summit kicked off amid contradictory expectations
At Camp David retreat a trilateral Palestinian - Israeli - American summit began yesterday amid contradictory expectations. While the Americans hope for hammering out a deal, the Israelis and the Palestinians stressed their adherence to their redline. The three-way summit was opened by a thirty minutes bilateral meeting between Presidents Arafat and Clinton followed by an Israeli - American 50 minutes meeting.
In a press conference, the white house spokesman Joe lockhart said that president Clinton will hold in the evening hours another bilateral meting with the Israeli PM to be followed by another meeting with President Arafat.
Nothing was leaked about the outcome of the meetings but Palestinian officials confirmed before they left for the summit that the difference between the Palestinian and Israeli positions with regard to various issues are still far apart.
The Israeli Justice Minster Yossi Beilin yesterday said that the summit must lead to a deal, which respects the redlines of both sides. The Israeli Ha'aretz newspaper said that Barak caries to the summit ideas to resolve the Jerusalem issue that are not far from his redlines. Reports have it that an American proposals will be presented to the summit to solve the Palestinian refugees problem.
Farouq Qadumi: African consensus on recognizing the Palestinian state once declared
Head of the political department at the PLO Farouq Qadumi stressed that there is a consensus among the African states on recognizing the independent Palestinian State once it is declared within the next months.
Qadumi, who headed the Palestinian delegation to the African summit said that there is an African consensus to recognize the Palestinian state noting that the final communiqué issued by the summit accepts in principal the draft resolutions presented by the PLO on top of which the need to declare Palestinian statehood by Sept. 13.
Acute water shortage in the Palestinian territories
The Director General of the Palestinian Water Department for Gaza and the West Bank said the Palestinians must have additional 580 million cubic meters of water to proportionally balance the water consumption with Israel.
He also said, Gaza needs to find additional 100 million cubic meters either from distillation of seawater or through import.
Monday July 10, 2000
President Arafat confirmed on the eve of leaving to the Camp David summit that the Palestinian side will not give any concession particularly with regard to the five main important issues.
In an interview with the Saudi daily "Okaz" the President clarified that the outcome of Camp Dvid will under no circumstances affect the date set for declaring the Palestinian state on Sept. 13.
He emphasized that statehood will be declared on Sept. 13 as decided by the Central Council during its last meeting in Gaza.
In reply to a question on the Saudi support in the summit, president Arafat said: We always feel strong due to the support of our brothers in Saudi Arabia to our national rights, adding, the Palestinian cause is not just a Palestinian concern, it is an Arab and Muslim concern.
On the other hand, Egyptian foreign minister Amr Mousa told reporters that President Mubarak expressed his full support to the Palestinian stance rejecting any concessions over Jerusalem during the forthcoming summit.
In Washington President Clinton urged Palestinians and Israelis to seize this opportunity at Camp David and move forward with steady steps towards peace since violence will cause more tears and blood.
Minister of Culture and Information Abed Rabbo, member of the team to the Camp David summit due to convene tomorrow said that the Palestinian side will not sign an agreement that does not include an explicit items regarding the existence of international monitors to observe the implementation of the agreement. Abed Rabbo added during a press conference held at the premises of the Information Ministry in Al-Berieh that there will be a referendum for all the Palestinian people inside and outside Palestine on any agreement reached with Israel.
Sunday July 9, 2000
President Arafat leaves for Washington tomorrow to attend the three-way summit with PM Ehud Barak and President Clinton in an attempt to put an end for the half century long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The Palestinian leader is carrying with him to the summit three important documents namely: UN Security Council Resolution 242, the resolutions of the Palestinian Central Council on the declaration of the statehood, and the eventualities of tension flaring up in the event of the failure of the Camp David talks.
President Arafat is flanked to the talks by an official delegation and a political delegation comprising representatives from the Palestinian parties which accepted to join the Palestinian delegation to support its position in accordance with the decisions of the Central Council and international legitimacy resolutions.
The Palestinian delegation headed by President Arafat includes Mahmoud Abbas, Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee, Ahmad Qrei, Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Minister of Information and Culture Yaser Abed Rabbo, Tayseer Khaled , Member of the PLO Executive Committee, Samir Ghoushi, Secretary-General of the Popular Struggle Front, Dr. Suleiman Najjab, head of the People's Party, and Faisal Husseini, in charge of the Jerusalem portfolio at the Palestinian National Authority as well as Zeyad Abu Amr and Dr. Hannan Ashrawi.
Yesterday, the Palestinian leader received in Ramallah the Foreign Minister of Jordan Abulellah Khatib who handed him a letter from the Jordanian monarch expressing the Jordanian government support to the Palestinian position and legitimate rights. President Arafat said the letter is very important.
within the same context King Abdullah II urged all parties to seize the opportunity provided by the summit. President Arafat arrived in Cairo last night for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak prior to his departure for Washington. Before heading to the three- way summit, PM Barak refrained from giving more clarifications concerning the Israeli "five red - lines." He reiterated in an interview with Israel Channel Two TV his five NOs:
The Minister of Information and Culture Yasser Abed Rabbo remarked on Barak's five red-lines by saying that only one of these five "NOs." is capable of blowing up the Middle East Peace Process.
Saturday July 8, 2000
The Palestinian leadership reaffirmed its commitment to the decision of the Central Council issued last week on the declaration of the Palestinian state on September 13, and to attend the Camp David summit on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and the principle of Land for Peace.
A statement issued at the end of the weekly cabinet meeting stated that peace will never prevail in the Middle East without securing a return for the Palestinian refugees.
The statement urged Israel to stop the aggressive tone of threatening and provocation which will not affect the determination of the Palestinian people to acquire their national rights.
The announcement was made following two separate meetings held by the Palestinian leadership and the PLO Executive Committee under President Arafat's chairmanship in Ramallah yesterday.
The Palestinian leader received at his office in Ramallah yesterday the Prime Minister of Macedonia who was updated by President Arafat on the latest political developments on the Palestinian track.
A senior US State Department official said yesterday that meetings of Palestinian and Israeli experts will commence in Washington tomorrow (Sunday) in the presence of US Secretary of State Madeliene Albright ahead of the Camp David summit scheduled for next Tuesday.
Reliable political sources revealed that the US government will submit to the summit certain proposals to bridge the gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions.
These proposals are said to include exchanging territories through leasing land for 50 to one hundred years and American proposals on Jerusalem that might form a compromise between the different positions of both sides on Jerusalem.
According to formal statistics released by the Israeli Ministry of Housing over 6500 apartments are under construction in Jewish settlements illegally built in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
It said one thousand apartment is being built in each of Ariel, Maale Adumim and Adam.
The remaining 3500 apartments are distributed in settlements north of the West Bank, Hebron Mountain, Goush Katif, Goush Etzion, the Jordan Valley , and in the Ramallah district.
Thursday July 6, 2000
The Palestinian leadership accepted President Clniton's invitation to Palestine President Yasser Arafat to a three-way summit in Camp David next Tuesday.
A statement issued by the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah last night said the Palestinian participation would be in accordance with the recent decisions of the Central Council.
President Clniton invited President Arafat and PM Barak to the Camp David summit hoping to make a breakthrough in the staled Middle East peace process.
A senior state department official said the summit will start Tuesday morning while negotiators will meet starting Saturday to prepare for it. In Ramalah, the speaker of the Palestinian legislative Council Ahmed Qrei does not expect the summit to tackle Palestinian - Israeli differences.
He said if the Israelis believe that giving some territories for the Palestinians in return for sovereignty and the outstanding final-status issues, will realize peace in the region they are mistaken and hypothetical.
He also asked all security levels of the Palestinian parties as well as the head of the PLO political department Farouk Qadumi to side with President Arafat to strengthen our negotiating position and face Barak's delegation which includes leaders of the Israeli National Religious party, Shas, and other parties.
He said the signs of the failure of the summit appear to be more clear because of the big gaps between the Palestinian and Israeli positions over almost all issues.
He said the Americans pressed too hard for holding this summit and I can see that the Americans bias to the Israeli position.
Israeli Hebrew press reports said that the Israeli army and security apparatus have embarked on discussing and stepping up adopting ways to face possible clashes with the Palestinians in the coming few days. The Israeli Hebrew daily "Yedeot Aharonot" reported that following the session held by the Palestinian Central Council, the Israeli army and security apparatus have decided to step up preparations for possible clashes with the Palestinians on September 13th.
Wednesday July 5, 2000
President Arafat: The Palestinian Central Council's decision is an implementation of the 1988 National Council resolutions
President Yasser Arafat said yesterday that the PCC's decision regarding the declaration of the Palestinian statehood is an implementation of the previous decisions, particularly those issued by the Palestinian National Council's session held in Algiers in 1988. This was the first comment made by President Arafat on the PCC's decision on declaring the Palestine statehood by the end of the interim period in Sept. 13.
Tayib Abdulraheem for his part said, the Palestinian side has the full right, according to the PCC decision, to declare the establishment of the Independent State in Sept. 13. After that, the date will be open to practice the sovereignty of the state within the 1967 borders, even before the end of this year.
Israel embarks on a worldwide campaign against the statehood decision
Israel began yesterday a worldwide diplomatic campaign against the Palestinian intention, confirmed by Central Council, to declare the statehood by next Sept. Within its course, the Israeli PM Barak left Tel-Aviv for a visit to London and Paris in an effort to garner support of the two capitals to the Israeli position regarding the issue of expected declaration of establishing the Palestinian independent state.
Israel's foreign minister David Levy said yesterday that the unilateral declaration of the Palestinian statehood on Sept. 13 means a Palestinian pullback from the peace process. Meanwhile, the Israeli Justice Minster Yossi Beilin threatened to impose curfew on the newborn Palestinian entity that will have no contact with the outside world and will have no contiguity between the West Bank and Gaza.
France and Denmark confirm their support to the declaration of statehood and Egypt is ready to recognize the state once declared
France and Denmark announced their support to the establishment of the Independent Palestinian State noting to Berlin's declaration, which confirmed the Palestinians right to self-determination and the establishment of their state. Paris said that it favors reaching an agreement between the Palestinians and Israelis but it adheres to Berlin's declaration which stresses the Palestinian people's right to establish its own state.
Meanwhile, Denmark announced its support to the establishment of a Palestinian state, but it refrained from setting a date to recognize it. At the same time Egypt announced through its foreign minister Amr Mousa that it is ready to recognize the Palestinian State once declared.
In a step portrayed by officials of the Islamic Waqf as disgusting, Jewish extremists staged for the second time in a week, a provocative demonstration near the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque to protest the restoration work carried out by the Islamic waqf in the Holy Mosque. Director of the Islamic Waqf described the Israeli court ruling to allow the demonstration, as offence to the Muslims feelings and warned that such racial demonstrations will flare up violence in the region.
Tuesday July 4, 2000
Head of the Palestinian National Council Saleem Zanon announced in a press conference in Gaza city yesterday that the Palestinian State will be declared at the end of the interim period set for September 13 in accordance with peace agreements.
The meeting of the PNC decided to declare the Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital in conformity with UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 181 in addition to the document of declaration of independence issued in Algiers in 1998.
The PNC reiterated the right of Palestinian refugees to return home in accordance with UN Resolution 194 and called for a complete Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab territories to June 4, 1967 borders and dismantling Jewish settlements illegally built in the occupied territories.
The first reaction to this announcement came from Israeli PM Barak who threatened to annex Palestinian land in case of this unilateral declaration by the Palestinians.
Washington followed Barak's by announcing its opposition to any unilateral declarations.
In Washington a senior Palestinian officials told Reuters that Washington has proposed one or two summits with Israel and the Palestinians in July and August to hummer out and agreement before September 13. The official who preferred not to be identified said the Americans have proposed July 17 or 24 for the first summit.
Al-Ayyam newspaper reported that, it has a copy of the newly drafted provisional Palestinian constitution drafted by a special committee headed by minister of planning and international cooperation, Dr. Nabil Sha'ath.
The draft has six chapters with 165 articles that have an introduction that deals with all areas of the Palestinian political, legislative, economic and social life.
The special committee stressed that, the constitution's articles must positively deal with the inalienable Palestinian rights, while the principles upon which the constitution was drafted reflect the nations political, social, and political aspirations. The commitee also said that, the constitution shall facilitate for the state to carry out its duties and responsibilities in order for it to realize the Palestine national aims.
Monday July 3, 2000
The Palestinian Central Council aims at Okays the decision of declaring the Palestine State before the end of this year. In his speech to the Council, President Arafat stressed the decision to declare the statehood is irreversible. He said we can secure a worldwide support for statehood when declared.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian National Authority vigorously condemned Robenstien's allegations that UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 do not apply o the Palestinian track.
Presidential secretary Tayib Abdulraheem said this interpretation by Rubenstien reflects the bad faith of the Israeli government and deepens the gap between the positions of both sides.
He added that all peace agreements affirm that resolution 242 is the only legal basis for the Oslo Accords.
Sunday July 2, 2000
President Arafat held in Paris yesterday an important meeting with French President Chirac in an effort to rescue the peace process from collapsing. The two leaders discussed the French and European role to advance the peace process.
President Arafat updated the French leader on the latest developments on the Palestinian track and the obstacles laid by Israel on the way of carrying out and implementing signed agreements.
A French spokesman said President Chirac will submit Arafat's grievances to the next EU meeting to adopt a common position and reaffirmed the French and European position towards the peace process.
In New York, the representative of Palestine to the UN Dr. Nasser Qudwa confirmed the international community will reject any illegal Israeli steps in the event of a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. He said the world community is supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Saturday July 1, 2000
President Arafat will travel to France today where he will meet the French President Jacque Chirac whose country will head the EU Community beginning this month. President Arafat's advisor Nabil Abu Rudineh pointed out that President Arafat would discuss with his French counterpart means of revitalizing the peace process. Minister of Planning and International Cooperation said that President Arafat would discuss with President Chirac the intended declaration of the Palestinian State.
The Israeli Hebrew daily "Yedeot Ahronot" reported that following discussions in the White House the US Administration has adopted a stand calling for recognizing the Palestinian State when declared.
The Hebrew daily said that two scenarios where discussed in the White House. The first assuming that the two parties reach an agreement with the help of President Clinton who then could declare the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The second one assumes that the peace negotiations reach a deadlock after which President Arafat will unilaterally declare the establishment of the Palestinian State one-month before the American elections. In this case it was decided that the US recognizes the newly established Palestinian State, and so the US could then press the two independent states to negotiate solutions for the outstanding issues between them.
The Jerusalem's third stage festival was inaugurated yesterday at the Palestinian National Hakawati theatre in Jerusalem. Dozens of Palestinians attended the inauguration of the festival, which shall include holding events for one week.
State minister in charge of Jerusalem's affairs portfolio Ziad Abu Zayyad who attended the event pointed out that, the presence of Palestinian bands and institutions from Gaza, Ramallah and Haifa proves that Jerusalem is not just a place with holy places and shrines but also is the Palestinian capital that must be dealt with as a whole.
The Palestinian leadership condemned in a statement issued yesterday Israel's constant denial to UN Resolution 242 and its relevance to the Palestinian track.
The statement said this resolution is the international reference upon which the peace process is based. Resolutions 242 and 338 must be applied on the Palestinian territories as it was applied on both the Egyptian and Jordanian territories as well as Israel's readiness to extend it to the Syrian territories.