SEPTEMBER 2000
Saturday September 30, 2000
President Yasser Arafat presided over the weekly cabinet meeting held by the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah yesterday.
The Palestinian leadership discussed the bloody events triggered by Israeli soldiers against Muslim worshippers during the Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque yesterday culminating into the death of seven people and the injury of 220 others. The Palestinian leadership decided the following:
Thursday September 28, 2000
· Head of the PLO Representative Office in Washington Ahmed Abdulrahma announced the resumption of the Palestinian - Israeli talks near Washington. He said the talks, expected to end today, focus on bridging the gap between the two positions.
· Jewish settlers of Gilo near Beit Jala yesterday chopped down several number of olive trees owned by Ibrahim Jawaish
· Israeli border Police units yesterday stormed into Shuafat Refugee camp north of Jerusalem and uprehended unidentified number of Palestinian teenagers on charges of throwing stones against Israeli army patrols.
· Israeli police forces yesterday brutally attacked Palestinian landowners near Taybeh and Holla road borders and arrested some of them.
· The Israeli occupation authorities demolished yesterday a house owned by famhi Abu Sneineh located at Saint George Street in East Jerusalem.
Wednesday September 27, 2000
· Well-informed Palestinian political sources said the Palestine - Israel summit, held between President Arafat and PM Barak last Monday night near Tel-Aviv failed to score any progress and it was primarily aimed to alleviate tension between the two peace partners.
· Member of the PLO Executive Committee Faisal Husseini in charge of Jerusalem Affaires yesterday warned against serious consequences because of Sharon's provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
· Minster of Parliamentarian Affairs Nabil Amr described Sharon's visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque planned for tomorrow as an "aggressive step".
· According to Israeli sources, eight Jews occupied three Palestinian houses on the Mount of Olives in Arab East Jerusalem claiming its ownership by an Israeli company and began what they described as restoration works. The sources said one house was occupied immediately and the remaining two houses will be occupied soon. The Israeli government is said to insist on keeping the Mount of Olives under occupation in any peace settlement they say they can reach with the Palestinians.
· Seven Israeli policemen brutally attacked 20-year old Ashraf AbdulKarim from Hiwara, near Nablus.
Tuesday September 26, 2000
· President Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Ehud Barak met in Kochav Yair north of Tel Aviv late last night in an attempt to create a positive environment. The speaker of the Palestinian council Ahmed Qeri said, the two leaders discussed ways to advance the peace talks. However, Chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat said the meeting was an attempt to clear the air between both sides mainly focusing on the conclusion of the Palestinian - Israeli accord.
· President Yasser Arafat received at his office in Gaza yesterday a 17-member delegation representing a number of American - Jewish organizations. They discussed the latest developments on the Palestinian track and current efforts to advance the peace talks.
· Col. Dahlan, Head of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service in Gaza, said the departure of the Palestinian negotiation team to Washington today comes within the framework of consultations on how to advance the peace talks. He said the delegation will stay in Washington for only two days.
· Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Qeri emphatically rejected any attempts by Israel to postpone final status talks.
· The Palestine Ministry of Information categorically denied the involvement of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) or any other Palestinian institution in the so-called "Promised Childhood Congress" scheduled to take place in Jerusalem from 29 October - November 3 , 2000, sponsored by the International Association For Child and Adolescent Psychiatry And Allied Professions (IACAPAP), the World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH), and the International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry (ISAP) in cooperation with Israeli authorities.
· About one thousand Palestinians demonstrated in Nazareth city yesterday before PM Ehud Barak's office to protest the Israeli discrimination policy practiced against them and over an Israeli government decision to confiscate 1800 dunums at Ein Mahel for the expansion of Netserim Elit settlement.
· Likud Party leader Eric Sharon plans to pay a provocative visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque next Thursday.
· Jewish settlers erected mobile house near Evani Hafetz settlement, built on Arab land confiscated from Shofa and Kofer Labbad villages, east of Tulkarm..
Monday September 25, 2000
· President Arafat said yesterday: Democracy is the only choice for the Palestinian people. He said our people will strive to enforce democracy throughout the homeland. He also promised that Palestine will be a democratic state and as a " model" for democracy to be followed by other peoples.
· President Arafat chaired a meeting in Gaza yesterday for the Negotiations Committee. The meeting discussed the ongoing developments in the peace process and the outcome of the current diplomatic contacts to achieve a breakthrough in the deadlocked peace talks.
· The PNA requested UNESCO to reject an Israeli project to register Jerusalem as an Israeli archeological site.
· The Ministry of information also condemned in a statement issued yesterday the continued Israeli attempts to forge the historic identity of the Holy City.
· The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) reaffirmed its opposition to conclude partial agreements that exclude any of the final- stage issues or delay discussing such issues to a further stage. It also confirmed that peace which fails to return Arab East Jerusalem to Palestinian sovereignty will be fragile.
· Faisal Husseini, member of the PLO Executive Committee and in charge of the Jerusalem portfolio at the PNA, revealed yesterday the Palestinian vision to solve the Jerusalem issue. He elaborated by saying: any solution to this issue must be based on making the city a capital for two states open allowing Palestinians and Israelis the right to move freely in both sectors of Jerusalem without visas or pass permits.
· A Jewish settlers ran into a Palestinian passengers car yesterday wounding 14 people near Netsarim settlement south of Gaza Strip. All the wounded were admitted to hospitals in Gaza for medication.
· The so-called community council of Dolev and Telmon settlements, built over land confiscated from the Palestinian villages of Janeya, Ras Karker and Mizr'a Gharbeia, decided to confiscate 300 dunums from Al-Janeya village. The targeted land lies between the two illegal Jewish settlements.
Sunday September 24, 2000
· President Yasser Arafat and US Secretary of State Madelien Albright held telephone talks yesterday on the Palestinian track. They discussed ongoing efforts to rescue the Middle East process from possible collapse.
· The PNA renewed its opposition to Israeli proposals aimed at excluding the Jerusalem issue from a final settlement solution. Presidential Advisor Nabil Abu Rudainah said: The Palestinians are not prepared to delay any of the final status issues.
· The Jordanian Petra News Agency said: The Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee Mahmoud Abbas discussed in Amman yesterday the latest developments on the Palestinian track with the Foreign Minister of Jordan Abdulilah Khatib.
· Dr. Saeb Erekat said yesterday the Ministry of Local Government will hold a meeting with the interior and security committee at the Palestinian Legislative Council to discuss amending the election plan at the local councils and municipalities.
· The Palestinian Committee for Education, Culture and Science will set up a committee to draft an official reply to the Israeli project submitted to UNESCO on Jerusalem.
· The Israeli occupation authorities erected a number of road barriers at the entrance of Tulkarm.
· An Israeli military court sentenced Hamas activists from Zatara village, Bethlehem to different prison terms in addition to a fine of NIS 5000 on each person. The four people were identified as Taha Washah, Ali Shani, Ali Abed and Khaled Abu Ramis.
· The Israeli government continued for the second consecutive week yesterday preventing the entry of building materials used for restoration works at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
· PLC deputy Abbas Zaki accused Israel of withholding large sums of money belonging to the PNA. This is preventing the PNA from implementing its plans to increase the salaries of public sector employees especially Palestinian teachers
Thursday September 21, 2000
Presidents Yasser Arafat and Jacques Chirac discussed by telephone yesterday the Jerusalem issue and exchanged points of view on the Palestnian track.
Presidential Secretary General Tayib Abdulraheem requested the Clinton Administration to consult with the Palestinians before disclosing its proposals on the Middle East issue as it is doing with the Israeli side.
The speaker of the PLC Ahmed Qrei urged the EU to administer a more influential role in the Middle East peace process. He said it is now most appropriate for the EU to perform such a job.
The head of the PLO Political Department Farouq Qaddomi announced in Tunisia yesterday that the Palestinians are determined to pursue the peace track and to declare statehood when it becomes so appropriate. He expected such declaration will lead to confrontations between Palestinians and armed Jewish settlers whose presence in the Palestinian territories is illegal.
The Israeli occupation authorities issued a military decree confiscating fourteen locations in Hebron for military reasons.
The Israeli occupation forces imposed stiff military procedures near Bilal ben Rabah Mosque in Bethlehem described by local citizens as "undeclared security cordon" over the city. Israeli soldiers also erected military barriers at all entrances leading to the said Mosque.
The Israeli government continued for the seventh consecutive day yesterday banning the entry of building materials used for the restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
The Israeli newspaper Ma'riv said yesterday the Israeli security service Shen Beit arrested a Jordanian citizen identified Abdulaziz Mosleh at Karameh (Allenby) bridge. He was arrested despite the fact of being issued a family reunion permit from the Israeli authorities to live with his wife residing in the West Bank.
Wednesday September 20, 2000
President Yasser Arafat chaired a meeting of Fateh Central Committee in Ramallah yesterday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East peace process and the ongoing negotiations on the Palestinian track. He also presided over a second meeting for the negotiations committee to evaluate the peace process and means to overcome obstacles laid down by Israel before the peace talks.
The Secretary General of the PLO Executive Committee Mahmmod Abbas announced yesterday that the Palestinian leadership will not concede any of our national rights, adding, we will not accept a framework or an interim accord but a comprehensive peace package with Israel.
The Palestinian leadership asked Washington to refrain from proposing ideas that contradict international legitimacy resolutions.
The Head of the Palestinian Representative Office at the UN Nasser Al-Qidwa said yesterday, the UN is requested to play a more influential role in the Middle East peace process. He told the annual session of the UN General Assembly that the Palestinians insist on implementing UN resolutions particularly those pertinent to the refugees and Jerusalem. He also refused any Israeli sovereignty over Al Aqsa compound.
Olmert's municipality in Jerusalem served notices to Palestinian citizens in the area located between Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and Silwan, informing them of a decision confiscating their land and houses to build the " East Ring" road which will swallow 1070 dunums of their land. The Israeli occupation forces also embarked on building a new settlement quarter adjacent to "Ariel settlement" near Salfit.
The Israeli occupation forces continue imposing a curfew on the city of Tulkarm for the second consecutive day through their military roadblocks placed on the entrances of the city.
An important symposium on tourism organized by the " World Tourism Organization" was held yesterday in Palestine . The participants confirmed the importance of achieving peace as an essential conditions to boost tourism in the region. Secretary of the World Tourism Organization, Francis Fighali, addressed the Palestinian people and their leadership by saying: when you declare the Palestinian state you will get the full membership of the world Tourism Organization.
Tuesday September 19, 2000
- President Arafat met with Jerusalem Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Bethlehem following which he told news reports that the Israeli government is deliberately wasting time.
- President Arafat's advisor Nabeel Abu Rudainah said yesterday that Barak's rejection to handing over the Islamic and Christian shrines in Jerusalem to the Palestinian full control proves that the Israeli government isn't serious in working for realizing a just peace.
- PLO's Executive Committee Secretary General Mahmoud Abbas called for enhancing the national unity within the areas under the Palestinian control in preparation to declaring the state in the future.
-The Israeli occupation authority did not allow dozens of Palestinian trucks loaded with goods from crossing the Tarqomia safe-passage to proceed to Gaza.
- Israeli settlers captured a plot of land owned by Shaheen Azeer from Bethlehem in an attempt to expand their Qaidar settlement.
- For the fifth consecutive day, the Israeli police deny access to workers working on bringing building materials to the Haram for renovations.
- The Israeli occupation issued confiscation orders to confiscate dozens of Palestinian houses roofs in Hebron
-Several thousand Palestinians and Arabs joined by British personalities demonstrated in London to call for restoring the Palestinian refugees' right of return. The demonstrators who were also joined by the Labor Party Parliament member Richard Borden handed a letter to the British Prime Minister Tony Balir.
-Activities of the Norwegian Cultural Week will start in Bethlehem today in cooperation between the Norwegian government and the Bethlehem 2000 project.
Monday September 18, 2000
· The Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Amr Mosa announced in Cairo yesterday the arrival next week of a US envoy to the Middle East to advance the Peace talks on the Palestinian track.
· The Foreign Minister of Russia Ivanov said yesterday the Russian government increased its efforts to push the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
· President Yasser Arafat received at his office in Ramallah yesterday the new Turkish Consul General to Jerusalem.
· Dr. Zakarya Agha, member of the PLO Executive Committee, announced yesterday the formulation of a committee under the chairmanship of Mohammed Abbas, Secretary General of the Executive Committee, to follow up the implementation of the decisions taken by the PLO Central Council on the state declaration.
· The first deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Mr. Ibrahim Abu Al Naja, said yesterday the Palestinians will not succumb to pressure and will not concede their historic right to Al-Aqsa mosque.
· President Yasser Arafat said in an urgent appeal addressed to the Palestinian and the Arab peoples that peace will not prevail in the Middle East without the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homeland.
· The Palestinian - Israeli peace talks resumed yesterday. The Palestinian delegation included Dr. Erekat and Col. Dahlan while Israel was represented by attorney Jelad Sher.
· Reliable Israeli sources said yesterday, the Israeli Ministry of Housing has recently commenced work to expedite the implementation of large housing projects inside the Green Line and in Jewish settlements laying in the perimeters of Jerusalem.
· Engineer Adnan Husseini, Director General of the Islamic Wakf (religious affairs" Authority in Jerusalem said yesterday, the Israeli occupation authorities are preventing the entry of building materials to Al-Aqsa Mosque for restoration works without giving any reason.
· The Israeli occupation authorities escalated procedures to demolish Palestinian houses and stopped issuing building permits for Palestinians in the Hebron district. To this effect, the Israeli government dispatched notices to stop building works at 24 apartments lying in different locations in the Hebron province.
· Eight Palestinian received light to moderate injuries yesterday by Israeli soldiers near "Nitsarim" settlement south of Gaza.
· Acting Israeli FM Shlomo Ben Ami said yesterday that the Israeli government intends to maintain "its sovereignty" over Al-Aqsa Mosque in Arab East Jerusalem.
· Israeli security forces arrested Palestinian journalist Maher Farraj for several hours at Beit Hanon checkpoint and prevented him from continuing his journey to the West Bank.
· The PLO national and international relations department yesterday issued a report on Israeli violations to the rights of the Palestinian people. The repot said five Palestinians, including two children and elderly man, were killed and 44 others wounded by Israeli soldiers and Jewish settlers during last August.
Supporters of the right of return for the Palestinian refugees expect the participation of about 10,000 people in a peaceful demonstration to be staged in Washington today. This wil be the biggest gathering in the history of the United States to back a Palestinian cause. Some Jewish and Israeli officials criticized this peaceful march alleging that it wil hurt the peace process. The organizers of this peaceful march hope this event will be attended by over 80 Arab, Islamic, Jewish, and human rights organizations and will attract world public opinion to the plight of the Palestinian refugees.
Over 450 researchers, intellectuals and specialists on Palestinian refugees said, the compensation of Palestinians should not be a substitute to their right of return, some thing that can not be abrogated with the passage of time. In a conference held in Amman, they called on the international community to support the Palestinian refugees through organizing political, diplomatic and media campaigns in addition to establishing a special fund to support the right of return for the Palestinian refugees.
Saturday September 16, 2000
Presidential Advisor Nabil Abu Rudineh said yesterday the Americans are currently engaged in drafting their own proposals to narrow the gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions. He said the peace talks will resume somewhere in the Middle East within the next two days.
Minister of State and Senior Palestinian negotiator Hasan Asfour told reporters yesterday Israel should not impose its ideologies over the Palestinians, and must comprehend that there will be no solution to the Middle East crisis based on the framework of the Zionist political ideology especially with regard to sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque. He added we have holy shrines known to everyday, and accused PM Barak of vomiting trouble.
Egyptian FM Amr Mousa called for a Palestinian sovereignty over the Palestinian land occupied by Israel in June 1967 including East Jerusalem. He said, granting Israel sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque is unacceptable and is ridiculous adding we are committed to UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 both demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from all occupied territories.
Special US Middle East peace envoy Dennis Ross met separately in New York yesterday with Palestinian and Israeli delegations.
The Palestinian leadership confirmed during its weekly cabinet meeting held in Ramallah yesterday that the American side has failed to hold negotiations sessions between the Palestinian and Israeli delegations in New York because Israel is trying to renege on its commitments and to waste time. President Arafat told the meeting that the decisions of the PLO Central Council remain the main criteria and basis for the declaration of the statehood. A statement issued by the meeting accused PM Ehud Barak of leading a feverish settlement campaign in the occupied territories. It also concluded that the Israeli military is escalating the situation and is arming Jewish settlers.
The head of the legal panel at the Palestinian National Council Mr. Jamal Surani said the PLO Executive Committee will shortly discusses the draft Palestinian constitution. The legal panel will submit its report to the Central Council before Nov. 15, the date set for the declaration of statehood. He said, the panel prepared the draft constitution in preparation for declaring statehood.
President Arafat received in Ramalah yesterday the visiting Norwegian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and updated him on the latest developments in the peace process especially after the recent decisions issued by the PLO Central Council to postpone State declaration until Nov. 15.
The PNA Minster of Tourism and Antiquities Metri Abu Aiteh announced the holding of the International Tourism Conference in Palestine next Monday. He said this global demonstration comes within the framework of marketing tourism and placing Palestine on the international tourism map.
The Palestinian leadership listened yesterday to a report about President Arafat participation in the New York millenium summit and the positive reactions to his speech delivered before world leaders attending the summit in addition to Arafat's meeting with world leader to discuss the impasse engulfing of the peace process and the Palestinian position.
The Palestinian leadership mourned the passing of the Secretary General of the Peoples Party who died in Ramallah last week.
According to Hebrew press sources, the Israeli Ministry of Housing submitted this week the second stage plan for building a new Jewish settlement on Abu Ghneim Mountain southeast of Bethlehem for approval to the so-called "Building and urban planning committee at Olmert's municipality." The "Yeroshalim" weekly said in a report published yesterday, the plan, required by the Ministry of Housing to be immediately ratified, calls for building three thousand apartments in the Jewish settlement.
According to Arab press reports Jewish settlers residing at Sheikh Jarah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem are planning to form "civil guard" units from Jewish settlers to prevent Palestinians from entering the Jewish settlement built by Israel in the area after the 1967 war.
Reliable Palestinian sources said Jewish settlers commenced during the past few days a large-scale campaign distributing thousands of posters and photographs for the alleged Temple due to be built on the site of Al-Aqsa holy mosque. The sources said these posters were found in Kerni Shomra settlement, west of Nablus.
The Israeli occupation authorities continue its assaults against the Palestinian land. Jewish sources said the settlement project financed by Jewish Millionaire Moscovitch at Ras el-Amoud settlement in east Jerusalem is about to be completed and will absorb more Jewish immigrants. Palestinian sources pointed to another Jewish settlement campaign against Palestinian land in Khan Younis and the northern parts of the Jordan valley.
Supporters of the right of return for the Palestinian refugees expect the participation of about 10,000 people in a peaceful demonstration to be staged in Washington today. This wil be the biggest gathering in the history of the United States to back a Palestinian cause. Some Jewish and Israeli officials criticized this peaceful march alleging that it wil hurt the peace process. The organizers of this peaceful march hope this event will be attended by over 80 Arab, Islamic, Jewish, and human rights organizations and will attract world public opinion to the plight of the Palestinian refugees.
Over 450 researchers, intellectuals and specialists on Palestinian refugees said, the compensation of Palestinians should not be a substitute to their right of return, some thing that can not be abrogated with the passage of time. In a conference held in Amman, they called on the international community to support the Palestinian refugees through organizing political, diplomatic and media campaigns in addition to establishing a special fund to support the right of return for the Palestinian refugees.
The daily newspaper Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida published on its front page two Photographs for the Sabra and Shattela massacre perpetrated by Israeli soldiers against innocent Palestinian citizens eighteen years ago.
Sultan Abu El-eneen: a key Fateh official in Lebanon, accused Elie Hobikah - who masterminded the Sabra and Shatella massacres in 1982- of investing his relations with local Lebanese officials to cancel the building of a memorial monument for the martyrs of the massacre.
The Arab League called in statement issued on the 18th anniversary of the Sabra and Shattla massacre for a complete Israeli withdrawal from all Arab territories occupied by Israel in June 1967, and for the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The league urged the international community to lift injustices inflicted on the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian local press appropriated large spaces to commemorate the Sabra and Shattella massacre highlighting its details and those of the perpetrators.
Thursday September 14, 2000
Middle East peace talks resumed in Washington
The peace talks will resume in Washington today between Palestinian and Israeli delegations in an attempt to hammer out a peaceful settlement.
According to reliable political sources the peace talks will be resumed on the basis of new ideas.
President Arafat received last Tuesday night a letter from US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright inviting the Palestinian delegation to come to Washington. This is according to a previous understanding reached between Arafat, Barak and Clinton.
The Supreme Negotiation Committee chaired by President Arafat responded to Albright's invitation.
Chief Palestinian Negotiator Dr. Saib Erekat and Col. Dahlan, head of the Palestinian Preventive Security in Gaza, left for Washington. The Israeli delegation will be represented by Acting FM Shlomo Ben Ami and attorney Jelad Sher.
Yesterday, president Arafat met at his office in Gaza the visiting Maltese President and discussed with him the latest development in the Middle East peace process, particularly on the Palestinian track.
Before his departure to Washington Col. Dahlan described an Israeli request from the Palestinians to relinquish sovereignty over Al-Aqsa Mosque as an act of madness. He said, their request from us to be flexible on maters pertaining to Muslim matters is a dream that will never come true.
The PNA Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Nabil Shath disclosed yesterday that Palestinian officials are currently discussing with influential countries the membership of Palestine in the United Nations.
Wednesday September 13, 2000
President Arafat said in a reply to PM Ehud Barak's threats to abrogate the outcome of the Camp David summit -if an agreement was not concluded within the next few weeks with the Palestinians- by saying: We have achieved nothing at Camp David that deserves abrogation.
He also accused Barak of reneging on his commitment towards the peace process when Barak invented the story of Al-Aqsa courtyard, describing this as "unclean stabbing attempt" against all Muslims.
In another statement, President Arafat confirmed the PLO Central Council has extended the interim period to Nov. 15 to give another opportunity for the peace process.
He told reporters at Gaza airport that the peace process is a strategic option for us, to be based on UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. He, clarified, these resolutions entitle the Palestinians to establish an independent state over all land occupied in June 1967 including East Jerusalem, capital of the state of Palestine.
Minster of Information and Culture and member of the PLO Executive Committee Yasser Abed Rabbo denied any change in the Palestinian official position on Jerusalem.
In the first Palestinian reaction to a statement made by Israeli Acting FM Shlomo Ben Ami over sovereignty, Abed Rabbo said: All of Arab East Jerusalem must be under Palestinian sovereignty.
He also described the Israeli ideas with regard to Muslim and Christian shrines in Jerusalem as playing with fire, and accused the Israeli government with planting the seeds for a long religious war by denying the rights of other religions including the right of over 1.25 billion Muslims.
He also told a press conference held at the premises of the Ministry of Information in Al-Bireh that the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations will resume early next week.
Tuesday September 12, 2000
President Yasser Arafat yesterday held important talks with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak immediately after his arrival in Alexandria City yesterday.
President Arafat updated the Egyptian leader on the outcome of his meeting with President Clinton held last week on the fringes of the UN Millenium summit.
Palestinian and Israeli officials admitted yesterday that the Middle East peace process was granted a new chance to survive when the PLO Central Council decided to postpone state declaration.
Israeli acting foreign minster Shlomo Ben Ami ruled out the possibility of reaching a peace package within one month and proposed to give the PNA a self-autonomy rule on Al-Aqsa courtyard.
However MK Yossi Beilin suggested giving Al-Aqsa an embassy status. Palestinian officials accused the Israeli government of wasting time and called on it to resume the peace talks.
Monday September 11, 2000
The PLO Central Council yesterday postponed declaring statehood but gave the go ahead to Executive Committee headed by President Yasser Arafat to set a date to declare the state.
A statement issued in this respect reiterated the right of the Palestinian people to full sovereignty over East Jerusalem, and the right of return for the Palestinian refugees as well as complete Israeli withdrawal from all territories occupied by Israel in June 1967.
Sunday September 10, 2000
President Yasser Arafat asked the Palestinian Central Council, which started its deliberations in Gaza yesterday, to be prepared for the worst consequences indicating that the Palestinian leadership is expecting five weeks of arduous negations with the Israeli side.
He said, peace talks will resume today or tomorrow upon an official request from President Clinton who is exerting tremendous efforts in order to arrive at a comprehensive and just settlement to the Arab - Israeli conflict. President Arafat briefed the meeting on the positions taken by various world countries towards declaring a Palestinian state and the outcome of his contacts with world leaders, Arabs and otherwise.
President Arafat mandated the Central Council to set a date for the state declaration. In a separate report, the London-based Al-Hayyat newspaper quoted President Arafat as proposing Islamic sovereignty on the Islamic shrines in East Jerusalem.
According to the newspaper, President Arafat proposed an Islamic sovereignty over the Islamic shrines through the Jerusalem Committee. He specifically mentioned Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco to represent the committee, the paper added. In a separate statement, the PNA Minster of Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Nabil Sha'th confirmed yesterday that the Palestinian - Israeli negotiations will resume starting today and will continue for the next five weeks.
Presidential Advisor Nabil Abu Rudineh also said the next four weeks would be the last chance to arrive at a peace deal with the Israeli side.
In London, the British Minster of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Hein said the United Kingdom considers Jerusalem with its eastern and western parts an occupied city and does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the city.
In an interview with the London based "Muslim News", Mr. Hein said Britain still rejects the division of the holy city, a city considered by United Nations resolutions to have an independent entity.
Saturday September 9, 2000
President Arafat: We accept shared sovereignty in Jerusalem if acceptable by the Americans in Washington
President Arafat vehemently opposed any proposal for sharing sovereignty in Arab East Jerusalem. In an interview with CNN President Arafat replied when asked about his positions toward shared sovereignty with Israel over East Jerusalem occupied by Israel in June 1967, and annexed during the same month to Israel he said: will the Americans accept shared sovereignty in Washington.
President Arafat said: Rights can not be compromised and I will never betray my people, the Arabs, Muslims and Christians. He added, I am not asking for the moon … but only to get what we have signed with the Israelis in an honest way and accurately, nothing more.
President Arafat met last Tuesday with President Clinton in New York who promised him to continue his efforts to put an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict before the end of his tenure in office.
Thursday September 7, 2000
President Arafat urged for putting an end to the long-sufferings incurred by the Palestinian refugees. He hoped that the millenium celebrations will signal a new beginning for a new life for the Palestinian people.
President Arafat, who attended a long with 150 world leaders and heads of governments the UN millenium celebrations, indicated to the Jerusalem issue and said there will be no flexibility with regard to sovereignty on the Muslim and Christian shrines in Jerusalem.
Simultaneously, President Arafat declared that the Palestinian people and its leadership have taken a strategic decision to adhere to the peace process.
The Palestinians have already made painful concessions in order to arrive at a reasonable and acceptable compromise. On the other level, the Palestinian issue occupied a leading position in the speeches delivered by Arab, Muslim and foreign heads of state in New York.
To this effect, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said no sane Arab citizen will accept Israeli sovereignty over the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem.
The Saudi Crown Prince also accused Israel with procrastination, he said tolerance can not survive with aggression and occupation. French President Jacques Chirac urged both President Arafat and PM Barak to work for peace.
Wednesday September 6, 2000
US President Bill Clinton meets on the margins of the New York Millenium summit with President Arafat and PM Barak separately in an attempt to score a breakthrough in the stalled Middle East peace process. US National Security Advisor Sandy Berger stressed the need for a breakthrough, saying next month will be crucial for the future of the peace process.
Within the same context the Canadian PM announced in Ottawa yesterday that President Arafat and PM Barak will meet in New York today. Chief Palestine Negotiator Dr. Saib Erekat speculated Arafat - Clinton meeting will discuss the aftermath of Camp David summit. In another development, the speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Qrei proposed making Jerusalem with both its western and eastern sectors capital for the entire world if this was a price for a peace package with the Israelis.
In Tel-Aviv, the Israeli peace Now Group said six members of Olmert's municipality have signed a petition for sharing sovereignty in Jerusalem between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Tuesday September 5, 2000
Arafat heads for New York
President Yasser Arafat left for New York yesterday to attend the UN Millenium summit and to hold talks with US President Clinton on advancing the peace talks on the Palestinian track. According to press reports, President Clinton will hold two separate meetings with President Arafat and PM Barak Wednesday in New York, in addition to speculations that a meeting will be held between President Arafat and PM Barak in New York the same day.
Palestine rejects a joint American - Israeli proposal concerning "joint sovereignty" over the holy shrines in Jerusalem
A Palestinian delegation headed by Minister of Information and Culture Yasser Abed Rabbo and Minister Planning and International Cooperation Dr. Nabil Shath held important talks in Cairo with Egyptian Foreign Minster Amr Mosa concerning a joint American - Israeli proposal on the future of the holy city, which was first discussed by US peace envoy Dennis Ross and Egyptian officials. President Arafat rejected the proposal.
Arab Foreign Ministers call for recognizing the Palestinian State when declared
The Arab Foreign Ministers ended a 2-day meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo by issuing a statement urging the continuation of peace talks with Israel on the basis of land for peace. They also called for recognizing the Palestinian State when declared.
The statement voiced support for the Middle East peace process and called for severing diplomatic relations with countries deciding to relocate their embassies into occupied Jerusalem, in addition to boycotting Berger King for opening a new restaurant in Ma'aleh Adumim settlement illegally built in the Palestinian occupied territories.
The statement urged for supporting all Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem. Within the same context, head of the PLO's Political Department Farouq Qaddomi said, President Arafat can't end the Palestine - Israeli conflict since this is a decision that must be taken by an Arab summit.
Monday September 4, 2000
The Arab League: Jerusalem is the core of the Arab - Israeli conflict and the key to peace
A statement issued yesterday by the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo affirmed that Jerusalem is the core of the conflict and the key to peace in the Middle East.
The statement said that all UN resolutions especially 242, and 338 consider all Israeli actions in the holy city "illegal and invalid". Any solution, which fail to resolve the Jerusalem issue will be doomed to failure, the statement added. The meeting of the Arab Foreign Ministers also threatened to severe relations with countries who decide to relocate their embassies in Jerusalem or recognize the Palestinian city as capital of Israel.
Arafat: No peace in the Middle East without a Palestinian sovereignty over Jerusalem
President Arafat delivered an important political speech at the opening of the two-day meeting of the Arab League Foreign Ministers in Cairo yesterday. He said: "We will not accept an agreement that ends the conflict without getting back all the rights given to us by UN resolutions and over lands and holy places including Arab East Jerusalem. We are going forward with great determination and willingness toward our independence and national sovereignty over our Palestinian lands and establishing our independent Palestinian State and its capital East Jerusalem, the heart of Palestine, heart of Arabs and heart of believers". The president hailed Arab and international support to the rights of the Palestinian people.
President Arafat is scheduled to hold a meeting with US President Bill Clinton on the margins of the UN Millenium summit in New York this week.
Sunday September 3, 2000
President Arafat met yesterday with the President of the CIA George Tenet to prepare for the summit meeting due to be held between President Arafat and President Clinton in New York on Sept.6.
The meeting was described as cordial and characterized with frankness and discussed the Jerusalem issue.
On the other hand, US peace envoy Dennis Ross held two separate meetings with Palestinian and Israeli negotiators, and will report to President Clinton on the outcome of his meetings.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Dr. Saeb Erekat said: "There is a supportive Arab and international position to the Palestinian rights and for complete Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands including East Jerusalem and the implementation of UN Resolution No.194."
Minister of finance Mohammed Nashishibi signed three agreements with the representative of the world Bank to the value of US$27.5 million including US$20 million as a gift from Saudi Arabia.
The sums are to be invested in completing the second stage of infrastructure projects at various municipalities including road and water projects.
Saturday September 2, 2000
President Yasser Arafat received at his office in Ramallah yesterday US Middle East Peace Envoy Dennis Ross and discussed with him the current peace efforts on the Palestinian track.
Ross held a similar meeting with PM Ehud Barak in a bid to narrow the gap between the Palestinian and Israeli positions.
Yesterday, President Arafat chaired the weekly cabinet of the Palestinian leadership. The Palestinian leader briefed the PNA cabinet on the outcome of his last meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and signaled out the paramount significance of the Agadir meeting by the Jerusalem committee.
The Palestinian leader welcomed the decision taken by the Jerusalem Committee.
A statement issued by the meeting called for the return of Jerusalem to the Palestinian sovereignty. Within this context, the statement said there will be no lasting peace in the Middle East without the return of Arab East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in June 1967 to Palestinian sovereignty.
In Tel Aviv, PM Barak warned the Palestinians of an imminent tragedy if a peace agreement was not reached as soon as possible.
He expressed doubts about reaching an agreement on Jerusalem. He said: If such agreement was reached, we will get a united Jerusalem under what he called Israeli sovereignty.
In another provocation , Israeli soldiers arrested six Palestinians described by Israel as members of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Nablus City and other Palestinian areas in the West Bank.