OPINIONS

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:23 pm - Jerusalem Time

A wide escalation starting today.. but we will remain despite all the challenges

Written by: Ibrahim Daibes

A major armed operation took place in Jerusalem, resulting in a number of Israeli deaths and injuries, and the occupation authorities began, in word and deed, to prepare for a very large operation, which is likely to have major repercussions, starting today. They forget the massacre they committed in Jenin.
It is well known that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is facing widespread popular opposition among Jews these days, is one of the biggest leaders of extremism and most eager to expand at the expense of the Palestinian land and kill all possibilities of a two-state solution, which has become just an unattainable wish. The opposition that Netanyahu faces will force him to accelerate the settlement and actual annexation of uninhabited or sparsely populated areas.
In fact, had it not been for the population, they would have annexed the entire West Bank. Despite this, they do not stop expanding settlements and confiscating land without the population, and they are working hard to Judaize Jerusalem.
The occupation forces also carried out large-scale demolitions of many buildings in many cities, towns and villages under various pretexts, foremost of which is the lack of permits, noting that obtaining a building permit is one of the most difficult and complicated matters when it comes to the Palestinians on their lands. Talmudic prayers and religious rites in its courtyards.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that the repercussions of what it called the settlement tremor will affect the future of the region in general, not just the Palestinian cause. The Netanyahu government had pledged to add half a million settlers to the West Bank and to demolish all existing Palestinian buildings in Area C. The Minister of Settlement held a meeting with all the heads of the settlement councils, and they left happy after she informed them of the settlement plans to be implemented.
The Palestinian reactions were simple, foremost of which was the decision to stop the security coordination, which many see as a great popular demand because it has harmed the national cause and its justice. They were not officially informed of its cessation and that the operations of the occupation army will not stop in all cases. Nevertheless, and despite all the Israeli allegations, the cessation of coordination constitutes an opportunity to revive the issue and put it on the agenda of any potential contacts or political initiatives.
In any case, all these occupation policies will not eliminate our people and will not stop their aspiration towards establishing an independent state on their occupied land, despite the nose of the occupation and despite all these racist practices, and despite the arrogance of power and influence. Many strange forces have passed through our land, but they were fleeting forces and remained The land belongs to its people and its people remain in control..!!

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:23 pm - Jerusalem Time

Occupation police arrest a young man because of Ben Gvir's threat

Translation by "Jerusalem" docom - The Israeli police arrested a Palestinian young man from Rahat , inside the occupied territories.


According to the website of the Hebrew Maariv newspaper, the detainee (34 years old) was arrested on suspicion of making threats through social media to the so-called Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir .


He indicated that he would represent the detainee before the Magistrate's Court in Beersheba as a prelude to extending his detention.


ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:23 pm - Jerusalem Time

An Egyptian ship saves 60 illegal immigrants from drowning in the Mediterranean

CAIRO (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian transport company announced (Tuesday) that one of its ships had rescued 60 illegal immigrants of Arab nationalities from drowning in the Mediterranean.


The Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport, affiliated to the Egyptian Ministry of Transport, stated in a statement published by the ministry on its official Facebook page that “while the ship (Wadi Karnak) owned by the National Navigation Company, one of the Holding Companies for Maritime and Land Transport, was sailing from the port of Safaga (the Egyptian) to the port of Dunkirk, France, to transport a shipment of wheat to Egypt. The company received a signal from the American Protection and Indemnity Club that there were distress signals from a boat in the ship’s sailing area.


The statement added, "The company's management issued immediate instructions to the ship's captain to change the route and take all necessary measures to save the boat. Accordingly, the ship's destination was changed by 40 nautical miles and sailed for five hours in the direction of the aforementioned boat area. The ship communicated with the boat, approached it and attached it to an object." The ship and supplying its passengers with all their needs of food, water and medicines.


He pointed out that "the ship communicated with the Search and Rescue Center in Malta as the nearest rescue site, and coordination was made to keep the boat in its position attached to the ship, but with the intensification of the waves and the entry of water into the boat, the boat passengers were instructed to board the ship's deck in order to preserve their lives."


The statement indicated that the ship arrived with the migrants on board yesterday evening in Malta, where "all the individuals were safely disembarked and all of them were reassured."


The immigrants are 24 men, 12 women and 24 children, including 4 infants, and they hold the nationalities of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, according to the statement.


These migrants had set off from Lebanon on an illegal immigration boat bound for Europe, and had been at sea for a week before being rescued.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:23 pm - Jerusalem Time

The United States seeks clarification from the Netanyahu government about the Cabinet's decisions

Translation by "Jerusalem" dot com - The US Embassy in occupied Jerusalem asked, on Monday, from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , details about the cabinet's decision last night regarding the legalization of 9 outposts and their conversion to settlements.


According to the Hebrew website Ynet, in a brief report, the US embassy requested detailed clarifications, especially as it considers these outposts to be illegal.


PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Israeli Knesset approves bills to pass the interests of Netanyahu and his government

Last night, the Israeli Knesset approved bills and amendments to other laws to pass the goals of the current right-wing government and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu .


According to the Arabic-speaking Israeli Public Broadcasting Authority, the Knesset approved by a majority the amendment of the “Basics of Government” law, which prevents the Supreme Court from announcing that the “prime minister” in reference to Netanyahu is unable to perform the duties of his position, and that only the “prime minister” or the government are authorized. in making such a decision.


Such a government decision is taken only with the approval of three-quarters of the members of the Israeli government, without the Prime Minister himself opposing it. 90 members.


Commenting on this amendment, the head of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, said, "We do not need this law because today Netanyahu exists in a state of impotence, as there is no concern for personal security, free education, and facing the high cost of living and housing prices, and the economy and security are collapsing."


For its part, said the "Movement for the Integrity of Governance": "The only goal of the Prime Minister of this law is to escape from his trial."


Significantly absent from the voting process was the Likud pole, Yuli Edelstein, who Likud circles say is paving the way for defection from the party and joining the left camp.


The Knesset Plenary also approved, in its first reading, the override clause, which allows the Knesset to override the decisions of the High Court of Justice if a majority of 61 members is available.


One of the articles of the bill stipulates that the Supreme Court has the right to annul a law enacted by the Knesset, provided that it clearly contradicts the Basic Law, with a full judicial panel and a majority of at least twelve out of fifteen judges.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Israeli raids bring back to the people of Gaza memories of a time that has not gone by

Gaza - (AFP) - From the deserted streets to the closed curtains behind the balconies... Hours of Israeli raids, which mainly targeted the Islamic Jihad movement, revived memories of a war not long ago, and scenes that are repeated before their eyes, as if the people of the besieged Gaza Strip signed yesterday.


On Friday afternoon, and as every weekend, the Gaza Corniche was crowded with pilgrims, who see it as one of the few outlets for the people of a strip that is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and has been under Israeli siege for 15 years.


In less than 24 hours, the scene changed radically: The Corniche, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, became a deserted area missing its visitors, and its cafes closed their doors while their owners stayed in their homes due to the continued Israeli raids, to which the "Quds Brigades", the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, responded by firing bursts. of missiles towards the Jewish state.


The city center, too, was largely empty of movement, as many Gazans chose to take shelter in their homes. And those of them who chose to venture out do so just to inspect the damage of the raids, the shattered glass scattered on the ground, and the traces of the fires that affect the buildings.


"Frankly, this aggression surprised us. We were living in peace, and suddenly the bombing occurred on Friday afternoon," Muhammad Hamami, 40, told AFP. "The occupation always begins by bombing us," he added.


On Friday, the Israeli army announced that it had launched a "preemptive" operation against the Islamic Jihad Movement, the second most prominent armed faction in the Strip after Hamas.


While Israel said it had killed 15 people, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that 11 people were killed and eighty others were wounded.


Among the dead were Tayseer al-Jabari, a prominent commander in the "Quds Brigades," and Alaa Qaddum, the five-year-old who died after targeting a residential neighborhood where she lives.


The family of the arrival of their daughter while she was still wearing a pink "T-shirt" coordinated with her dark hair tie.


"We demand an end to the occupation's aggression against us. It is enough, it is enough, every few months or a year there is a war," Hamami says with grief and sorrow.


He added, "We live in terror, this occupation is ruthless (...) it bombs homes, pedestrians, and cars, even the streets and agricultural lands" in the Strip, which is inhabited by 2.3 million people on an area of 362 square kilometers, and has witnessed four wars between Israel and the Palestinian factions since 2007.


The last major confrontations took place in May 2021, and lasted for 11 days, killing 260 people on the Palestinian side, including members of the armed factions, compared to 14 people on the Israeli side, including a soldier, according to local authorities.


The roar of planes and the sound of explosions deprived Donia Al-Amal Ismail of sleeping all night from Friday to Saturday, and brought back to her memory the painful scenes of previous wars.


Even in the intervals between one raid and another, when the roar of fighter jets ceases, the people of Gaza do not enjoy complete calm, as the roar of Israeli drones, known locally as "drones", pierces the skies of the Strip.


"The recent escalation brought to mind images of fear, destruction, anxiety, loss, and the feeling that we are alone," says Dunia, a resident of Al-Rimal neighborhood in central Gaza.


And she added, "I hope that this escalation will not be prolonged, spread, or turn into a larger confrontation, and that the Egyptian mediation will succeed in calming the situation."


Egyptian sources indicate that Cairo, which previously played a mediating role for calm between Israel and the factions in the Gaza Strip, is making a similar effort this time as well.


While waiting for the efforts to yield a calm, albeit temporary, that puts an end to the sound of shelling and raids, many of the residents of the Strip go to inspect the damage and try to save what is left of their property.


In the city of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, Fouad Farajallah inspects his house, or at least what remains of it: a living room that has been transformed into a mixture of metal sheets, stones and rubble, and a white fan that miraculously remains hanging from the iron ceiling of the house.


"I was sitting with my wife and children on the sofa (...) Praise be to God, we survived, but my wife broke her hand and my child was hit by shrapnel in his body," Farajallah told AFP.


"Everything happened to us. We didn't know what happened," he added.

ECONOMY

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

$252 million in profits from the Arab Bank Group for the first half of 2022, with a growth rate of 38%

Ramallah- “Jerusalem” dot com- The Arab Bank Group achieved positive results during the first half of the year 2022, as net profits after tax amounted to 252 million US dollars, compared to 182.4 million US dollars as on June 30, 2021, achieving a growth of 38%. The group maintained a strong financial position with equity amounting to 10.2 billion US dollars.


The credit facilities showed a growth of 6% by the end of the first half of the year 2022, to reach $35.7 billion, compared to $33.8 billion in the same period of the previous year. This growth is in line with the bank’s prudent strategy to expand by offering products and services to a wide range of customers with Maintaining a geographical and sectoral diversification, while customer deposits increased to reach $47.1 billion as of June 30, 2022, compared to $46 billion at the end of June 30, 2021, with a growth rate of 2%. The continued increase in deposits in most areas in which the bank is located reflects its ability Competitiveness by focusing on a diversified and stable deposit base.


Commenting on these results, Mr. Sobeih Al-Masry - Chairman of the Board of Directors stated: “The positive results achieved by the bank in the first half of the year 2022 reflect the sustainability of the growth process and evidence of the successes achieved by the bank in diversifying sources of revenue, despite the remarkable acceleration in Global inflation rates, which affects the performance of the banking sector.


For her part, Ms. Randa Al-Sadiq - Executive General Manager of the Arab Bank - explained that the Arab Bank Group achieved good operational performance, recording an increase of 6% in its various business sectors as a result of an increase in net interest income by 4% and net commissions by 17%, in line with the bank's strategy to diversify Sources of income and providing appropriate financing solutions that meet customers' needs, in addition to the bank's continued control of operating expenses. Al-Sadiq indicated that the growth in operating profits is based on a solid asset base and is supported by high liquidity levels that take into account achieving better profitability, as the loan-to-deposit ratio reached 75.9%, while the non-performing loan coverage ratio exceeded 100%. Al-Sadiq indicated that the group maintains a strong capital base, most of which is concentrated within the basic capital, as the capital adequacy ratio, according to Basel III instructions, reached 16.4%, which is higher than the minimum required according to the instructions of the Central Bank of Jordan.


Al-Sadiq added that, as part of the bank's strategy, in which digital transformation is an essential axis, the bank continued to launch a series of integrated banking programs and solutions that are enhanced with the latest services and digital channels to provide a distinctive banking experience within the highest levels of ease and security for various segments and sectors. The Arab Bank recently launched interactive banking applications that are the first of their kind in Jordan, including the “ArabiNext” application dedicated to the small and medium-sized companies sector, and the “Arabi Junior” application aimed at children and adolescents, in addition to the issuance of continuous updates to the “Reflect” application, the first Neobank in Jordan that includes features new extra.


In conclusion, Mr. Sabih Al-Masri confirmed that the Arab Bank possesses integrated banking experience that extends for more than ninety years in dealing with all variables and circumstances that enabled it to achieve sustainable profits, praising the efficiency of the bank's business model locally and regionally.


In continuation of the institutional approach adopted by the Bank within the framework of integrating the concept of sustainability in its comprehensive strategic sense within the Bank's business and activities, the Arab Bank recently issued a sustainability report for the twelfth year in a row. It should also be noted here that the bank continued to win international awards to embody its prestigious position in the banking sector, regionally and globally. For the seventh year in a row.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Injuries in separate clashes in the West Bank

Governorates - "Jerusalem" dot com - A number of citizens were wounded by live bullets, rubber-coated bullets, and suffocation, during clashes that erupted with the occupation forces in the governorates of the West Bank , today, Friday.


Local sources said that a number of citizens suffocated from tear gas today, Friday, during clashes with the occupation in the village of Beit Dajan, east of Nablus, and Beita, to the south.


Clashes broke out with the occupation forces stationed at the entrance to Al-Shuhada Street in Hebron, where they fired stun grenades and tear gas at the citizens, which led to the outbreak of clashes, without any injuries reported.


In Beit Dajan, five citizens, including a journalist, suffocated today, Friday, during the Israeli occupation forces' suppression of an anti-settlement march.


The Director of Ambulance and Emergency at the Red Crescent in Nablus, Ahmed Jibril, stated that treatment was provided to the injured in the field by the Crescent staff.


In the same context, clashes broke out with the occupation forces in the town of Beita, south of Nablus, without any injuries reported.


In Kafr Qaddum, dozens of citizens were injured, as the Israeli occupation forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at the participants in an anti-settlement rally.


In a related context, a number of citizens were injured by suffocation and rubber-coated metal bullets, during clashes with the Israeli occupation forces in the town of Tuqu', southeast of Bethlehem, while the occupation forces closed the western entrance to the town with the iron gate.


In the city of Al-Bireh, a young man was wounded by live bullets by the Israeli occupation forces, during clashes at the entrance to the city.


Meanwhile, 56 civilians suffocated from tear gas, as a result of clashes with the Israeli occupation forces near the Hawara military checkpoint, south of Nablus.


ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Joint exercises between the United States and Indonesia

Jakarta - (AFP) - Thousands of Indonesian and American soldiers will start Monday, two weeks of joint military exercises, which Washington described as aimed at strengthening "regional cooperation", amid escalating tensions with China.


The exercises are taking place on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and in the Riau Islands, an Indonesian province made up of small islands scattered near Singapore and Malaysia.


There are currently at least 4,000 American and Indonesian soldiers at the site, and they will be joined by Australian, Singaporean and Japanese forces. Japan is participating for the first time in the annual Super Garuda Shield exercise.


This comes at a time when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi begins an Asian tour that could include Taiwan, which is expected to contribute to an escalation of tensions in relations between Beijing and Washington.


The United States and its Asian allies are increasingly concerned about China's growing presence in the Pacific. However, Washington confirmed that the maneuvers do not target any country, even if this year is gaining more importance than previous years.


"This is an exercise to build trust, cohesion, mutual understanding, capacity development and other related issues," Stephen Smith, commander of the US forces involved, told the press in Jakarta. "It is a military exercise and not a threat to anyone," he added.


The maneuvers will continue until August 14 and will include exercises for the infantry, navy and air force.


An Indonesian official announced that it will be opened with a ceremony attended by all participating countries on Wednesday.


Canada, France, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Britain will participate as observers.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

A photographer shot the bomber.. Lapid: We will not allow "terrorism" to raise its head

Translation by "Jerusalem" dot com - Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said today, Tuesday, that his forces will not allow "terrorism" to return to kill, raise its head again and disrupt the daily routine of life for Israelis.

Lapid's remarks came shortly after the stabbing attack in Jerusalem, which left a settler with minor injuries.

Lapid praised Moshe Ben-Ami, a photographer for Yedioth Ahronoth, "Ynet", who shot the bomber, wounding him, and considered that his intervention was firm and prevented harming more Israelis.

For his part, Omir Bar-Lev, Minister of Internal Security, described the operation as a dangerous event, and that thanks to Hankun Ben-Ami and his quick response, a more serious attack was prevented.

Bar Lev said: "This event will not prevent us from continuing our resolute fight against Palestinian terrorism and against the perpetrators of attacks and those who send them. The Israeli police is determined to thwart any such attempt and protect the security of Israeli citizens."

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

"ARIJ": a new settlement plan to expand "Dolev" settlement

Ramallah - "Jerusalem" dot com - The Applied Research Institute "ARIJ" stated that the Israeli occupation approved, on the twenty-fourth of this month, a settlement plan bearing the number YOSH/ 3/ 1/ 234, which provides for the expansion of the "Dolev" settlement northwest Ramallah.


According to the institute, the new plan provides for the confiscation of 280,689 dunums of Palestinian lands to build 364 new settlement units in the settlement, on lands belonging to the towns of Ras Karkar and Deir Ibzi in Ramallah.


And he indicated that the plan targets basin No. 1 in the site known as "Madros" in the town of Ras Karkar, and basins No. 2, 4 and 7 in the areas known as "Ain Wadi al-Mughir", "Al-Dora" and "Al-Wajh al-Shami" (respectively) in the town Deir Ibzi, and that the issued plan aims to change the use of the targeted lands to third-class residential areas (according to the Israeli definition), public buildings and institutions, in addition to open spaces and tourism institutions, employment and engineering facilities, a gas station, a parking lot and internal roads.


The report indicated that the plan will be implemented on the western side of the settlement, on the open Palestinian lands that mediate the villages of Al-Janiyah, Ras Karkar, Deir Ibzi, and Kafr Nima, which will cut off the geographical contiguity between them, while creating an extension of the "Dolev" settlement from the western side, and thus confiscating the lands. and control it.


The institute indicated that in November 1992, the Israeli occupation authorities allocated an area of 3,228 dunums of Palestinian lands east of Dolev settlement as a “nature reserve” by virtue of Israeli Military Order No. 51/9 under the name “Nahal Dolev Delavim.” The order Which threatens the Palestinian villages that border the "Dolev" settlement from the eastern side, and in particular from the lands of the city of Ramallah (1058 dunums), Ain Qinya (1528 dunums), Al-Janiya (593 dunums), Al-Zaytouna (29 dunums), and Abu Straw (19.5 dunums).


ARIJ said that the aforementioned military order (9_51) seizes the Palestinian lands that mediate the settlements of "Dolev" and "Talmon", which threatens the danger that threatens this region, as the Israeli occupation authorities deliberately allocate vast areas of the Palestinian lands "as reserves natural landscape in the occupied West Bank, to prevent Palestinian urban expansion and its subsequent transformation into Israeli construction areas.

SPORT

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Calcio opener witnesses an absent number for 50 years

The curtain fell on the first round of the Italian League competition, after the end of the Juventus and Sassuolo match, which Juventus won in favor of (3-0).


And the “Opta” network, which specializes in football statistics, stated that the first round did not witness the end of any match in a draw, as all matches were won.


She added that this phenomenon was achieved 3 times by Calcio in the seasons (1933-1934), (1934-1935) and (1971-1972).

That is, the last time this happened was 50 years ago

It is worth noting that Napoli leads the table with 3 points, by goal difference from the rest of its competitors, Juventus, Milan, Atlanta, Fiorentina, Turin, Lazio, Inter Milan, Spezia and Roma.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Washington warns Tehran of the danger of "subordination" to Moscow

Washington , (AFP) - The United States said Wednesday that Iran risks becoming a kind of "subordination" to Russia, in a warning that comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran , where he participated in a Russian-Iranian-Turkish summit.


During the tripartite summit, whose main topic was the situation in Syria, Putin also discussed with his Iranian counterparts Ibrahim Raisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan the file of the war in Ukraine.


In Tehran, Putin also met the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called for strengthening "long-term cooperation" between Iran and Russia, although Tehran abstained during a UN vote on a resolution condemning Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.


And on Wednesday, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said, "Iran has now united its fate with a small number of countries that initially dressed as neutral and ultimately supported President Putin in his war against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people."


He added that such behavior could make the Islamic Republic "relatively dependent on a country like Russia."


The United States recently published intelligence that Russian officials visited Iran at least twice this summer to inspect combat drones that Tehran intends to provide the Russian army with to enable it to counter Western equipment flowing into Ukraine.


According to Price, the safest solution for Iran lies in its return to the Vienna Agreement.


In 2015, Iran and the six major countries concluded an agreement in Vienna regarding its nuclear program, which allowed the lifting of sanctions that were imposed on it, in exchange for restricting its nuclear activities and ensuring the peacefulness of its program.


In April 2021, indirect negotiations began in Vienna, under the auspices of the European Union, between Tehran and Washington, aiming for the United States to return to the agreement, and for Iran to fully fulfill its obligations stipulated in it.


The US spokesman also called on Tehran to forge "new economic relations with other countries in the world."


Indirect negotiations between the United States and the Islamic Republic on the nuclear file are stuck, especially because of Tehran's insistence that Washington lift the sanctions imposed on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which President Joe Biden's administration has rejected so far.


And on Wednesday, CIA Director William Burns, the former diplomat who contributed to the conclusion of the Vienna agreement, said that the main reason for the current rapprochement between Russia and Iran is that both are subject to sanctions and "seek to break their political isolation."


But Burns stressed during the "Aspen Security Forum" in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado (west), that "if (Russia and Iran) need each other, they do not really trust each other, as they compete in the field of energy and they are rivals throughout history."

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The occupation sweeps land south of Al-Aqsa Mosque

Jerusalem - "Al-Quds" dot com - Today, Thursday, the occupation forces leveled land south of Al-Aqsa Mosque .


According to local sources, the occupation forces, accompanied by the so-called nature authorities, stormed a land belonging to the Samreen family in the Wadi al-Rababa neighborhood in Silwan, and leveled it.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

In Kherson, Ukraine, a search is underway for "collaborators" with the Russian forces

Kherson ( Ukraine ) - (AFP) - On the right bank of the Dnieper River, Ukrainian police armed with machine guns stop two men who arrived by boat in Kherson, which was liberated a month ago from the Russians, but the authorities are looking for their collaborators, past or present.


Ukrainian soldiers liberated Kherson on November 11, after eight months of its occupation by Russian forces, who withdrew to the left bank of the river.

The two men came to escape from one of the islands bordering the east bank, which is a gray area in which there are no Ukrainian forces and is controlled by Moscow de facto, although Russian soldiers are not seen there.
As soon as they arrived, Ukrainian policemen surprised them with orders: "Move! Hands up! Show your papers!"...


This scene reveals the climate of suspicion prevailing in Kherson, where the authorities still fear the presence of people who may have cooperated with the Russians or are still cooperating with them, and seek to expose them.


"Evacuations are permitted, but in the port (Kherson) they are lost," a Ukrainian policeman told AFP. "Here, this is illegal," he added.


He added that at the port "there are those responsible for these 'stabilization' measures, checking whether people are involved or not" in cooperation with Moscow.


But this adjustment failed quickly. Two rockets landed on a small island 200 meters from the river bank, sending out a plume of black smoke.


The Dnieper River became this new front line.


The two men and the police moved away to take shelter, while the investigation will resume with them after the return of calm.


After the liberation festivities, Kherson now lives under the tight watch of the police, who are heavily deployed and visible in the city.


From checkpoints at the city's entrances to patrols in the streets, policemen in blue uniforms check papers and ask questions, rummaging through car trunks for "collaborators".


"These people (collaborators) have been here for more than eight months, they worked for the Russian regime and now we have information and documents on each of them," Kherson region governor Yaroslav Yanushevich told AFP.


"Our police know everything about them and every one of them will be punished," Yanushevich added.


At a large crossroads at the end of a bridge leading to the industrial area and port, an elderly man approaches a police officer who is checking cars and passers-by. He asks him where he can go to fill two cans he is carrying with water.


The policeman replies suspiciously, "You say you live here and you don't know where the water point is?"

The man had to show a photo of his ID hidden in his pocket to prove his identity.


Inspections are also taking place at the train station, as some residents still evacuate the city with a daily train.


In a separate room, five police officers are sitting at several small tables, each questioning an evacuee sitting opposite, an AFP reporter witnessed.


On some streets of the city, the large propaganda posters of the occupier praising Russia have disappeared, replaced by new posters glorifying the liberation of Kherson. Besides, other posters appeared calling on the population to expose the collaborators of the Russian forces.


One of the posters read, "Provide information about traitors here." It has attached an app identifier or phone number.


And the governor of the region justifies this by saying, "This helps us to identify them, and to find out if they are still present in the lands that we control."
"Most of the information comes from the local population through simple conversations (...) We also analyze accounts on social networks and continue to monitor the Internet," Andrei Kovany, head of public relations in the Kherson region police, told AFP.


After the police, the Ukrainian security services take over the investigations.


Deputy Interior Minister Yevgen Yenin said more than 130 people had been arrested for cooperating with Russian forces in the Kherson region.


In front of one of the posters, a number of the city's residents affirmed their support for the principle of exposing the collaborators.


"It is always good to help find a collaborator or a traitor," Pavel, 40, who declined to reveal his surname, believes. "We must help our armed forces to arrest those who worked for Russia."


Since the city's liberation, Russian strikes have targeted energy infrastructure as well as homes, and civilians have been killed in these bombings.


"Our homes are being bombed at the moment. I think collaborators are helping (Russian forces) to target our homes," said Irina, 35.


On the other hand, Vyacheslav, 47, says that "all the collaborators fled to the other side" of the Dnieper River.


"We are all Ukrainian patriots here," the man asserts.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Israeli environment: an increase in deaths due to heat waves

Ramallah - "Jerusalem" dot com - Data published by the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection showed that every heat wave in Israel leads to an increase of 45 deaths each time.

According to these data, the majority of deaths are of Israelis over seventy years old. According to what was stated in the Arabic-speaking Israeli Public Broadcasting Authority.

Israeli Environmental Protection Minister Tamara Zandberg said the climate crisis poses an imminent threat to health.

She added: All ministries and local authorities must unite to take the necessary measures to deal with heat waves in an effort to reduce the death rate and reduce medical expenses and suffering.

The term excess mortality refers to the number of people who died more than would normally be expected based on the death rate in a particular area.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The European Union will provide 261 million euros in support to UNRWA.

Jerusalem - "Al Quds" dot com - The European Union announced today, Tuesday, that it will provide the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees " UNRWA " within three years, a total amount of 246 million euros.



It will also provide an additional €15 million from the Food and Resilience Facility to address food insecurity and mitigate the impact of the Ukraine war, in line with the EU-UNRWA Joint Declaration 2021-2024.


In a statement, the European Union affirmed its role as a permanent and reliable partner of UNRWA and one of its largest donors. The European Commission has approved €261 million as a multi-year contribution that will provide predictable financial resources to the Agency in order to provide basic services to Palestine refugees.


“The European Union, as a long-term partner of UNRWA, is committed to continuing to provide political and financial support for its activities. UNRWA remains important in providing essential protection and basic services to Palestine refugees, and in supporting peace and stability in the region,” said the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Union, Josep Borrell.


He added that the European Union will continue to support UNRWA in all its fields of operations, including East Jerusalem.


"Our support for UNRWA is an essential component of our strategy to contribute to enhancing security, stability and development in the region, which also helps preserve the prospects for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said.


“We remain a reliable and predictable partner, and a major donor to UNRWA, others need to step up their efforts and join the EU in providing reliable multi-year funding,” said Oliver Varhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement.


He added, "The Agency plays a role in achieving stability in the region, and it must continue to do so, with a clear focus on its core priorities. We will continue to work with UNRWA to strengthen the Agency's governance systems and help increase transparency and sound management. We also remain strongly committed to enhancing the quality of education for children." Palestinians and ensure full compliance with UNESCO standards in all educational materials.”

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Palestinian factions congratulate the victory of the captive Ryan

Gaza - "Jerusalem" dot com - Today, Thursday, Palestinian factions blessed the victory of the prisoner , Raed Rayan , after an agreement to suspend his hunger strike in exchange for not renewing his administrative detention, which ends in early November.

Hazem Qassem, Hamas spokesman, said in a press statement, "The prisoner Raed Rayan records a new victory with his will and determination to continue and confront the crime of administrative detention."

He added, "The battle of the prisoner, Raed Rayan, is an extension of the struggle of the prisoners, who went on hunger strikes to reject administrative detention, and made it a current issue despite the warden's terror."

For its part, the Popular Front praised what it described as "the legendary steadfastness of its comrade Rayan, who for more than a hundred days defied the Zionist jailer and his intelligence services, defying all forms of abuse, oppression, torture and medical negligence with an iron will and determination."

The People's Assembly saluted the prisoners in prisons who supported and fought the strike battle in support of the prisoner Ryan, offering its thanks to the Palestinian masses and to the free people of the world who supported the prisoners in their battle.

For its part, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said that prisoner Rayan "victorious with his iron will over the will of the Israeli occupation prison administration and the tyranny of his executioners who acquiesced to his just demands."

Democracy considered the victory of the captive Ryan as a victory for the captive national movement and for all the Palestinian people, and for the campaigns of support, support and solidarity.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

North Korea launches two cruise missiles

Seoul, (AFP) - North Korea fired two cruise missiles on Wednesday, Seoul's defense ministry said, marking its first weapons test in weeks.


"Early this morning, we discovered that North Korea fired two cruise missiles into the West Sea from Unchon in South Pyongan Province," a ministry official told AFP.


"The US and South Korean military authorities are analyzing detailed specifications such as the flight distance," he added.


North Korea has not tested a cruise missile, which is not banned under UN sanctions on the country, since January, Yonhap news agency reported.


The last time Pyongyang conducted a weapons test was on July 10, when it launched what appeared to be multiple rocket launchers.


North Korea has conducted a series of tests in violation of international sanctions since January, including the first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017.


Officials in Washington and Seoul have also warned that the isolated regime is preparing to conduct its seventh nuclear test.


Earlier this week, the military forces of South Korea and the United States launched preliminary drills ahead of the start of their annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.


Such maneuvers anger Pyongyang, which considers them an exercise in conquest.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Brazilian police free a mother who was detained by her husband with their 17-year-old sons

Rio de Janeiro, 7-30-2022 (AFP) - Brazilian police freed a woman and her two children, who were suffering from advanced malnutrition, after being detained by her husband in appalling conditions for 17 years in Rio de Janeiro, according to a source in the city. Friday police.
The Rio de Janeiro military police, who arrested the patriarch, said in a statement that "the two young men, believed to be the children of the mother and her suspected husband, were bound and malnourished."


The police received a report about this case from an unknown person, and carried out their operation on Thursday in the popular Guaratiba district in the west of the city.


Local media reported that the woman and her two sons, aged 19 and 22, were taken to hospital shortly after their release, suffering from "dehydration and acute malnutrition."


According to the G1 news website, the mother told the authorities that she and her two sons would sometimes go three days without food, and were constantly subjected to physical and psychological abuse.


The mother quoted Luis Antonio Santos Silva, her husband of 23 years, as telling her, "You must stay with me until the end, you will not leave here until you die."


Pictures published by Brazilian media show the two adult boys with a teenage-like body due to malnutrition.


"When we saw the condition the boys were in, we thought they wouldn't live until next week. I tried to talk to the mother in the ambulance, but she couldn't speak because she was very weak," a neighbor of the family told the local G1 website.


Neighbors told the authorities that the father was nicknamed "DJ" because he used to play music to muffle the cries of his victims.


Some indicate that reports were made about this case two years ago, without receiving any response from the authorities.

ECONOMY

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Oil prices fell due to the difficulties faced by the Chinese economy

London - (AFP) - Oil prices fell by about five percent Monday, on the back of data showing that the Chinese economy is facing difficulties in light of the restrictions of Covid and the deterioration of the real estate sector.


The price of Brent North Sea crude fell by 4.8 percent to $93.46 a barrel, while the price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude fell 4.5 percent to $87.99 a barrel.


Meanwhile, equity markets looked generally flat while the dollar traded mixed as investors welcomed the easing of inflation in the United States, although it was still at its highest level in decades.


"It was a disappointing start to the week in financial markets as investor optimism collided with the reality of China's economic data," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA.


China's central bank cut key interest rates in a surprise move on Monday, while a batch of data showed a decline in the world's second-largest economy.


The data revealed that China's industrial production and retail sales growth for July were lower than expected.


Industrial production increased by 3.8 percent on an annual basis, but it declined compared to the 3.9 percent recorded in June, which is much lower than analysts' expectations.


Beijing's adherence to the "zero Covid-19" strategy is slowing the economic recovery, as sudden closures and prolonged quarantine measures deal a blow to commercial activity and the recovery of consumption.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The President of Cuba asks for "understanding" and "patience" from demonstrators angry at the power outage

Havana (AFP) - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday asked his compatriots for "understanding" and "patience," saying that he had taken note of the existence of demonstrations in several regions protesting the power outages on the island, and that there was no "immediate" solution.


The president said during a regular session of the National Assembly dedicated to the "extremely complex situation" that Cuba is going through in terms of electricity production, that there are people "knocking on pots and chanting slogans against the leaders" as an expression of "their annoyance and lack of understanding," considering the matter legitimate "because they are living in a difficult situation." ".


"Some take advantage of this opportunity to chant slogans against the revolution," while "others participate in vandalism, stone-throwing, and window-smashing," he added.


He continued, "Those who act in this way (...) meet the aspirations of those who wish for a counter-revolution and what the wishes of those who keep us under siege," in a direct reference to the United States.


Dozens of residents of the Los Palacios region, in western Cuba, demonstrated in mid-July and knocked on pots to protest the power outages, according to what the authorities announced, in an unusual mobilization on the island. Videos spread on social media showing their anger.


According to independent media, similar protests took place this week in Jaguy Grande (west), in the center of Sagua la Grande and Cayparín.


Cuba has been experiencing difficulties in the electricity sector since May, and many power stations are out of order or undergoing maintenance.


"We ask people to understand," the Cuban president said Friday, noting that the country currently has "less electric production capacity" than demand, which reached a "record" level due to the high temperatures in recent days.


The island is experiencing its worst economic crisis in three decades, with increasing shortages of food, medicine and fuel.

OPINIONS

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Palestinian sacrifices.. Why? And for how long?

Written by: Mahmoud Abdel-Hadi
The Zionist invasion of the Jenin camp late last month, and the operation carried out by the martyr Khairy Alqam in response to it, raises the question again, about the feasibility of the sacrifices made by the Palestinian people and the suffering they incur at all levels and in various fields, at the hands of the Zionist occupation forces and its racist terrorist government, which Its daily arbitrary measures against the Palestinian people, who in the last two years have sacrificed about 530 martyrs, more than 23,000 wounded, and about 15,000 detainees, not to mention the series of demolishing homes, destroying buildings, uprooting olive trees, seizing lands, and continuing to establish settlements…, Why all these sacrifices? And how long will it continue if it is not in the interest of a specific national political project, behind which stands a unified authority capable of investing these sacrifices in order to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people?!

legitimate questions
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory (OCHA); The crisis experienced by the Palestinian people inside occupied Palestine, saying, "The deepening crisis facing women, men, boys and girls in the Occupied Palestinian Territory continues, leaving many Palestinians struggling to live in dignity.

Behind this crisis is the Israeli military occupation, including the imposition of the blockade on the Gaza Strip, insufficient respect for international law, the continuation of the internal Palestinian political division, and the recurring cases of escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian armed groups. Including the Palestinian people inside occupied Palestine for three reasons as follows:

Zionist occupation.
* Palestinian division.
* Combat operations.
What is important to us in this summary is to stand at the second and third causes of the crisis, due to their direct relationship with the Palestinian side, which bears full responsibility for them. Here we have the right to ask, aloud: How long will this division continue? And how long will the Palestinian leaders continue to tickle the people's emotions with slogans that are shattered day after day on the rock of this intractable division? What is the use of popular or regular resistance operations against the occupation in light of this division?

These and similar questions are legitimate questions, which every Palestinian must constantly ask himself and the circles surrounding him, in search of an answer that will lead to a serious move to end the division, which is no longer just a satisfactory political phenomenon in the Palestinian scene, but rather a major disaster that fuels the absurdity of the current Palestinian reality. and make the sacrifices of the Palestinian people meaningless, for the following main reasons:

The division of political power and political decision.
The multiplicity of liberation programs and their conflicts, at the expense of the joint national liberation program.
Weakening the Palestinian position against the Zionist entity.
Increase regional and international control over the Palestinian decision.
Wasting the suffering and sacrifices of the Palestinian people.
Prolonging the Palestinian cause and increasing its complications.
Facilitating the Zionist penetration of the Arab and Islamic world.
Enabling the Zionist entity to achieve its national goals at the expense of the Palestinian people.
Increase the suffering of the Palestinian people in the diaspora.
How can gains be made in favor of realizing the goals and aspirations of the Palestinian people, when the situation is as it is? Hence, the continuation of the situation in this way contradicts all the principles, foundations, and starting points necessary to resist the occupation, achieve the goals of the Palestinian people, and stop their suffering.

This calls on all groups of the Palestinian people who are affiliated with the resistance factions with their political and military arms, or who are not, to reconsider in an objective and abstract manner. In the current political reality of the Palestinian cause, away from emotion, passion and reactions, in its various organized and popular forums, to come up with new data to develop political awareness and its structures, in a way that helps rebuild the Palestinian political reality, in favor of the aspirations of the Palestinian people, away from the narrow factional aspirations. As for each side burying its head in its own sand, and continuing with its plans, programs and actions, thinking that it is the best possible thing; For, for my life, this is the greatest unfairness it has committed to the Palestinian people and their cause.

Reorder priorities
This miserable political situation in which the Palestinian cause is living due to the division calls on the Palestinian political street, with all its components and groups, to rearrange priorities, and to give the internal home the highest priority over the priority of confronting the occupation, which has not achieved anything of the aspirations of the Palestinian people so far, but rather increased their suffering and sacrifices.

Arranging the Palestinian internal house is a priority, which means ending division, unifying the Palestinian leadership, and agreeing on a joint national liberation program that achieves the goals and aspirations of the Palestinian people. As for continuing to confront the occupation as the situation is currently, it is jumping in the air without reckoning, and continuing to make sacrifices without any significant political value. Which is considered a major crime against the Palestinian people and their cause, for which all Palestinian factions bear responsibility.

The rearrangement of priorities requires postponing all types of military confrontation with the Zionist entity for a period of time, during which the people catch their breath, the factions work to restore their organizational structures, develop the capabilities of their cadres, and their leaders devote themselves to the comprehensive national dialogue to restore the inner house, and resolve all outstanding issues once and for all. irrevocable, including:

The unification of the Palestinian Authority, according to one of the political formulas that are agreed upon among the political forces, the most important of which is: holding free and fair democratic elections, which is the best option, but its timing is not appropriate, and its success factors are not available. Formation of a coalition authority, based on the relative weight of the Palestinian forces in the Palestinian street. These two formulas are considered the most suitable for the current Palestinian situation. As for the formula for forming an interim transitional authority, a broad-based government, or other formulas, it does not suit the current factional situation at this stage.
- Restructuring the Palestinian institutions of the new unified authority, which will represent the Palestinians all over the world, away from the existing structure, which increases the complexity of the Palestinian scene.
Preparing a joint national liberation project, to be voted on by all Palestinians at home and abroad, for which all capabilities are harnessed to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people, away from the two-state solution, which represents a waste of time, a holocaust of effort and capabilities, and only serves to strengthen the security of the Zionist entity on The long term and its long term identity as a Jewish and democratic state, according to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in his press conference with the Prime Minister of the Zionist entity, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the aftermath of the martyr Khairi Alqam operation.
Structuring the resistance wings of all factions to ensure their subordination to the new unified authority on the one hand, and preserving their strength and effectiveness in supporting the political decision and the national liberation project on the other hand.
Preparing the transitional constitution that helps the authority carry out its duties and achieve its goals, and preserves the rights of political forces and citizens and defines their duties.
Modifying the curricula of below-university education, in line with the national liberation program and the new phase in the life of the Palestinian cause.
Organizing the media situation, its policies and laws, in a manner appropriate to this stage.
The continuation of the situation as it is is not suitable for the current stage that the Palestinian issue is going through, and the mind of the Palestinian leadership will remain preoccupied with the details of the confrontation operations and the humanitarian, psychological and social effects resulting from them, and this is something that the Palestinian street with its various institutions and cadres should not be silent about any more.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Researchers: Corona virus can be transmitted from cats to humans

Bangkok - (dpa) - It has long been known that cats are susceptible to infection with the Corona virus , like many other animals, but now fears have been raised that pet cats can infect their human owners with the virus, after conducting research on suspected transmission The virus from cats to humans in Thailand.


The researchers, who published a case report in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases in June, believe that it is possible for the Corona virus to be transmitted - most likely - from cats to humans.


In their report, the scientists talked about a case in Thailand, in which in August 2021 a veterinarian was infected with the Corona virus, while she was treating a cat in Songkhla, southern Thailand.


While making a swab from the nose, the cat sneezed towards the veterinarian, who was using a protective mask of the type "N95" and disposable gloves, but without using a face shield or eye protection glasses.


Genetic sequencing revealed that the viruses found in the cat, its owners and the vet were closely related.
However, scientists told the New York Times, the virus is transmitted more frequently from humans to cats than in the other direction.

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

China is on high alert to face the heat wave

BEIJING (Xinhua) -- China's National Observatory on Saturday continued to issue a red alert for high temperature, the highest level in the four-level alert system, as the sweltering heat wave continued in more areas of the country.


Tomorrow, parts of Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangxi and Guangdong are expected to experience temperatures ranging from 35 to 39 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center.


The center added that temperatures in parts of Shaanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Hubei, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Chongqing and Xinjiang could exceed 40 degrees Celsius.


The center advised the local authorities to take emergency measures to confront the severe heat wave, by suspending work in open spaces under high temperatures, paying close attention to fire prevention measures, and paying special attention to vulnerable groups.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Disclosure of a plan to legitimize settlement outposts and confiscate Palestinian lands

Translation by "Jerusalem" dot com - The Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom revealed, on Monday, a plan developed to legalize dozens of settlement outposts in the West Bank, within 60 days of the formation of the currently emerging government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.


According to the newspaper, the number of settlement outposts will reach 60, from the south of Hebron to the north of the West Bank, and their legalization plan will be presented to the Israeli government.


According to the plan, the project to legalize these outposts will be implemented within 18 months, by providing them with electricity and the necessary infrastructure.


And it indicated that an amount of approximately 180 million shekels will be allocated annually for the infrastructure of the settlement outposts, including electricity, water, sanitation and paving roads.


An amount of 25 million shekels will be allocated annually to establish the infrastructure for the security components, and 15 million will be allocated to the land survey teams to change the legal status of some of the lands that will be controlled, and to legislate a law that allows such a procedure for the development of settlement infrastructure and the confiscation of Palestinian lands.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Electing a Central Committee for the Popular Struggle and creating the post of Deputy Secretary-General

رام الله – “القدس”دوت كوم- اختتمت جبهة النضال الشعبي الفلسطيني أعمال الكونفرنس الوطني العام الثاني عشر والذي استمرت لمدة يومين تحت شعار “هبة القدس والثوابت الوطنية والتجديد الديمقراطي” و”رؤية جديدة لمرحلة جديدة”.

وانتخب المؤتمر بأجواء من الديمقراطية وبروح المسؤولية الوطنية العالية اللجنة المركزية للجبهة التي ضمت الشباب والمرأة باطار الرؤية الجديدة للتحول لحزب اشتراكي، ولمواجهة التحديات وتداعيات شديدة التعقيد والحساسية على مختلف الصعد الوطنية والإقليمية والدولية، في مواجهة أسئلة المصير والمستقبل على الصعد كافة التي أعلن مؤتمرها في ختام أعماله تحولها إلى حزب اشتراكي ديمقراطي فلسطيني، هذا التحول الكبير والتاريخي يأتي تلبية للمرحلة المقبلة، ويفتح آفاقاً جديدة من العمل النضالي،ويأتي كذلك في استراتيجية عمل وطنية شاملة.

وناقش المؤتمر بمشاركة الداخل والساحات العربية والأوروبية مختلف القضايا السياسية والفكرية والتنظيمية ومراجعة شاملة عبر أوراق وبرامج وسياسات واستراتيجيات جرت بلورتها كمشاريع تم طرحها على الجسم التنظيمي للمناقشة والتعديل قبل المصادقة عليها واعتمادها.

وتزامن الافتتاح الرسمي للمؤتمر في قاعة الهلال الأحمر في مدينة رام الله مع افتتاح أعمال المؤتمر في قطاع غزة وسوريا ولبنان وليبيا والجزائر واليمن والعراق والأردن ومصر، وللساحة الأوروبية بمشاركة ممثلين عن 22 بلداً، إضافة إلى روسيا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.

وفي الجلسة الافتتاحية للمؤتمر، وجه المتحدثون الرئيسيون في الجلسة الافتتاحية التحية لروح القائد المؤسس لجبهة النضال الشعبي الفلسطيني الرفيق الشهيد د. سمير غوشة والى كافة شهداء وأسرى ومناضلي الجبهة والى أرواح الشهداء التي تنير لنا الطريق نحو الاستقلال وإلى الأسرى الأبطال في سجون ومعتقلات الاحتلال الذين ينسجون بصمودهم ونضالهم رواية الثورة والحرية والكرامة.

وأقر المؤتمر البرنامج السياسي، وأدخل التعديلات التي تواكب التطورات وتنسجم مع الفكر الاشتراكي الديمقراطي الذي تتبناه الجبهة منذ تأسيسها وهي التحول إلى حزب اشتراكي ديمقراطي، يؤمن بالتعددية والمساواة والعدالة الاجتماعية في كل المجالات ومناحي الحياة حيث يجري التأكيد على الجانب الاقتصادي والاجتماعي للبرنامج السياسي للجبهة بحيث يتناول قضايا وهموم واحتياجات الطبقة العاملة والفقراء والمهمشين في المجتمع الفلسطيني، علاوة على الطبقة الوسطى التي تلاشى وجودها مع ارتفاع مستوى المعيشة وارتفاع الأسعار وتضخمها وعدم قدرتها الحفاظ على وضعها الاجتماعي خصوصا من أبناء شعبنا في المحافظات الجنوبية.

وأقر المؤتمر العام “مشروع النظام الداخلي المعدل” الذي أدخلت عليه عديد التعديلات لفتح آفاق أرحب لتطوير أداء الأعضاء ودورهم وتوسيع أشكال مساهمتهم وتوسيع مشاركتهم في صنع القرار بظل مناخ ديمقراطي يعزز ويقوي الحياة الداخلية للحزب.

وبعد نقاش حر وفي أجواء من الديمقراطية والشفافية العالية ، تم إقرار الوثائق المقدمة، وهي: “النظام الداخلي المعدل”، و”البرنامج السياسي المعدل”، و”التقرير السياسي” و”التقرير التنظيمي” و”مشاريع القرارات”، التي تهدف إلى استنهاض المزيد من عناصر القوة في صفوف الجبهة لتواصل تحمل مسؤولياتها التاريخية تجاه قضيتنا الوطنية والنضال المتواصل من أجل الخلاص من الاحتلال، وقيام دولة فلسطين المستقلة كاملة السيادة وعاصمتها القدس الشرقية، على حدود 4 حزيران 67، وحق اللاجئين في العودة إلى ديارهم وممتلكاتهم، التي هجروا منها منذ العام 1948 واستمرارية نضال الجبهة على كافة المستويات من أجل تحقيق العدالة والمساواة والديمقراطية وتكافؤ الفرص وتعزيز الحقوق والحريات العامة في مجتمعنا الفلسطيني.

وعلى الصعيد السياسي، أكد الكونفرنس العام ضرورة صياغة استراتيجية وطنية جديدة ترفض العودة لصيغة المفاوضات الثنائية وبالرعاية الأمريكية المنفردة والمنحازة لإسرائيل، باعتبارها صيغة أثبتت التجربة عقمها، والدعوة إلى عقد مؤتمر دولي للسلام كامل الصلاحيات تشارك فيه كافة الأطراف المعنية، واعتماد خطة سياسية فلسطينية في مركزها استصدار قرار من مجلس الأمن لإنهاء الاحتلال والاعتراف بدولة فلسطين دولة كاملة العضوية في الأمم المتحدة على حدود الرابع من حزيران وعاصمتها القدس، ومواصلة الجهد للانضمام للاتفاقيات والمعاهدات والوكالات والمنظمات الدولية.

وأكد تعزيز وتطوير أشكال وأساليب المقاومة الشعبية كافة ضد الاستيطان وجدار الفصل والعزل العنصري، ومحاولات تهويد القدس وذلك عبر الانخراط الفعال في اللجان الشعبية للمقاومة، وكافة الأطر والهيئات الشعبية في مواجهة الاحتلال وسياساته التوسعية وذلك من خلال إعادة تشكيلها وفق هيكلية وبرامج عمل بمشاركة كافة أطياف الشعب الفلسطيني.

وطالب بإعادة النظر بمجمل السياسات تجاه القدس، من خلال إيجاد مرجعية موحدة، وتقديم الدعم المادي الملموس للمؤسسات الثقافية والاجتماعية والاقتصادية لتعزيز صمود المقدسيين في مدينتهم، ومواجهة الهجمة الإسرائيلية المستمرة تجاه المدينة الرامية إلى تهويدها ومحاولة أسرلتها، وإخراجها من أيّ مفاوضات تتعلق بالوضع النهائي، إضافة إلى تحقيق ما يسمى (مشروع القدس الكبرى)، الذي بات يهدد مستقبل المدينة ويغير من طابعها الديموغرافي، ودعوة المستثمرين الفلسطينيين والعرب والأصدقاء الدوليين إلى الاستثمار في القدس من أجل الحفاظ على طابعها العربي المسيحي والإسلامي، مع التأكيد على ضرورة دعم وتطوير الهبة الجماهيرية المتواصلة في القدس، التي وجدت تجلياتها بهذا التلاحم الفلسطيني الواسع لكافة أبناء الشعب الفلسطيني في القدس والضفة وقطاع غزة وأراضي 48، وفي مخيمات اللجوء والشتات، ووضع رؤية وطنية موحدة لتطويرها لانتفاضة برؤية جديدة وبرنامج عمل وطني والحفاظ على طابعها الشعبي بتعزيز المقاومة الشعبية في مواجهة الاحتلال وضرورة توفير كل أشكال الدعم والمساندة لها، ولا تتوقف إلا برحيل الاحتلال وتشكيل قيادة وطنية موحدة كمرجعية عليا للانتفاضة ومتابعة عملها ميدانياً، وبدعم من كافة القوى الوطنية والإسلامية.

وأشار إلى الدعوة لتشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية، في ضوء هبة القدس ونتائجها، وكنتاج للحوار الوطني الشامل تضع في أولوياتها إزالة آثار الانقسام، وتداعيات العدوان على غزة بأبعاده الاجتماعية والاقتصادية، وإعادة الاعمار بأفق سياسي وتحت إشراف ومسؤولية الحكومة، وإن تشكل حكومة وحدة وطنية وعلى أساس برنامج منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية، وبسقف زمني محدد يؤدي إلى إجراء الانتخابات الرئاسية والتشريعية مع توفر ضمانات دولية لإجراء الانتخابات في العاصمة المحتلة كجزء من الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة واعتبار معركة الانتخابات فيها معركة سياسية وسيادية وليست قضية فنية أو تقنية، مع التأكيد أنه لا خيار أمامنا سوى الخيار الديمقراطي لإنهاء الانقسام، ولا خيار أمامنا سوى تحصين جبهتنا الداخلية بوحدتها لمواجهة كافة التحديات الداخلية والخارجية.

وجه الدعوة إلى اللجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التحرير الفلسطينية “لتقييم العلاقة التعاقدية في الاتفاق الانتقالي مع الحكومة الإسرائيلية وتطبيق قرارات المجلس المركزي الفلسطيني وتوصيات اللجنة السياسية للجنة التنفيذية لمنظمة التحرير 19/ 5/ 2020 بإنهاء المرحلة الانتقالية وسحب الاعتراف المتبادل مع إسرائيل، والبدء بخطوات عملية ملموسة للانتقال من السلطة للدولة وتجسيد السيادة الوطنية على الأراضي الفلسطينية المحتلة في الرابع من حزيران عام 1967، بما في ذلك القدس الشرقية، وكذلك عقد جلسة اعتيادية للمجلس المركزي الفلسطيني لتفعيل وتطوير وتجديد شرعية مؤسسات المنظمة وانتخاب لجنة تنفيذية جديدة ورئاسة مجلس وطني، ما يؤدي إلى تعزيز دور ومكانة منظمة التحرير كممثل شرعي ووحيد للشعب الفلسطيني لتكون قادرة على مواجهة كافة التحديات الماثلة أمام قضية شعبنا العادلة، والعمل الجدي نحو تفعيل وتطوير مؤسسات ودوائر منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية باعتبارها الممثل الشرعي والوحيد لشعبنا والمعبرة عن هويته الوطنية، ووحدته السياسية داخل الوطن وفي الشتات، وقائدة نضاله وتمكينها من القيام بدورها القيادي كمرجعية سياسية للشعب الفلسطيني، بما في ذلك السلطة الوطنية، والعمل على تطوير أوضاعها والنهوض بها من خلال انتظام اجتماعات لجانها ومؤسساتها ودوائرها ، والحفاظ على دوريتها وأهمية ذلك في تعزيز مكانتها وقدرتها التمثيلية ووحدانيتها”.

وأوضح أنه يجب الاستمرار في دعم حملة مقاطعه المنتجات الإسرائيلية كشكل من أشكال المقاومة الشعبية، ودعوة كل أحرار العالم ولجان التضامن مع الشعب الفلسطيني للاستمرار في حملة مقاطعه إسرائيل (BDS) ومعاقبتها وسحب الاستثمارات منها، ما دامت تواصل الاحتلال وسياسة التمييز العنصري ، ومقاطعه أي شركات تدعم الاحتلال والاستيطان، والتحرك الجاد لدعم صمود الأسرى والعمل على إطلاق سراحهم بدون تمييز وتفعيل قضيتهم لتبقى حيّة ويوميّة وعلى رأس أولويات القيادة الفلسطينية ، والمؤسسات الوطنية وكافة القوى السياسية والاهتمام بأسر الشهداء والأسرى والجرحى وتأمين حياة كريمة لهم.

كما شدد على استمرار النضال من أجل تطوير النظام السياسي الفلسطيني بما يكفل بناء الدولة المدنية الحديثة وإقرار قوانين ديمقراطية وعصرية تصون التعددية السياسية وتعتمد التداول السلمي للسلطة في ظل سيادة القانون وتمتع جميع المواطنين بذات الحقوق والواجبات دون تمييز وتحقيق العدالة الاجتماعية والمساواة الكاملة بين الرجل والمرأة، وتعزيز مناخات وأجواء الحريات العامة بما فيها حرية الرأي والتعبير، والتمسك الحازم بإجراء الانتخابات البلدية خلال العام 2021، التي توقف مسارها طبقاً للإطار الزمني المفترض لها من أجل أن يشكل نجاحها نموذجاً لإجراء الانتخابات الرئاسية والتشريعية وكمدخل حقيقي لإنهاء الانقسام بالاستناد إلى خيار الشعب وصناديق الاقتراع.

وأكد متابعة برنامج عمل الجبهة الاقتصادي والاجتماعي الرامي إلى تحقيق العدالة الاجتماعية ، باعتبارها أحد المكونات السياسية لمتطلبات صمود شعبنا على أرضه والعمل المشترك مع القوى والفعاليات التي تتقاطع معنا بوجهات النظر نحو نضال اجتماعي واقتصادي مطلبي يعزز من أسس العدالة وتكافؤ الفرص في المجتمع الفلسطيني.وإدامة وتمتين علاقات الجبهة وتعزيز وتطوير ومأسسة علاقاتها مع الأحزاب والقوى القومية والتقدمية العربية، وذلك على قاعدة النضال المشترك ضد الاحتلال الإسرائيلي للأراضي العربية والفلسطينية.

وعلى المستوى التنظيمي والبناء الداخلي، دعا المؤتمر إلى إطلاق العنان للكفاءات والكادرات لتأخذ دورها ومكانتها الحقيقية لضم أعضاء جدد لعضوية الجبهة ودفع دماء جديدة عبر التجديد الدائم وبالطرق والوسائل الديمقراطية، باعتبار ذلك يشكل محور وأساس التقدم والتطور في مختلف المجالات وميادين العمل والتوسع والانتشار ينبغي أن يكون بشكل ممنهج ووفق أسس تشمل كافة قطاعات وشرائح المجتمع كالطلاب والمهنيين والعمال والمرأة،للانطلاق نحو آلية عمل جديدة بضوابط تنظيمية جديدة ومحددة وواضحة.

وأقر المؤتمر السياسيات الاجتماعية والاقتصادية التي ستنتهجها الجبهة خلال المرحلة القادمة بما ينسجم ومشروعها الاقتصادي والاجتماعي الذي يؤكد الحقوق الاقتصادية والاجتماعية لكافة شرائح المجتمع وحقها في صياغة جملة من القوانين والتشريعات التي تصون حقوق كافة الشرائح وصولاً لبلورة سياسة وطنية لتنمية الحماية الاجتماعية لكافة القطاعات الضعيفة والمهمشة وتحقيق الهدف الاستراتيجي بإقامة العدالة الاجتماعية كمنظومة متكاملة تكرس دور ومكانة كافة أطراف الإنتاج الفلسطيني.

وانتخب المؤتمر في ختام اعماله، لجنة مركزية للجبهة، ضمت 114 عضواً، مثلت المرأة فيها بنحو 29% ، والشباب بنسبة قاربت الـ 60%، فيما ناهزت عملية التجديد في اللجنة الثلثين، إذ انتخب لعضويتها نحو 66 من مجمل الأعضاء لأول مرة.

ومن المقرر أن تجتمع اللجنة في غضون ساعات لانتخاب الأمين العام ونائبه وتنتخب أعضاء المكتب السياسي للجبهة.

كما استحدث المؤتمر خلال مناقشاته منصب نائب الأمين العام، وعدة دوائر ذات اختصاص، ومنها دائرة للقدس العاصمة.

PALESTINE

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

The Arab Parliament commends the Algerian declaration and the response of the factions to end the division and unify the Palestinian ranks

Algeria - "Alquds" dot com - Today, Saturday, the Arab Parliament praised the Algeria Declaration and the response of the Palestinian factions to end the division and unify the Palestinian ranks, and the signing of the "Algeria Declaration" document as a positive and important step, and a step on the right path towards restoring Palestinian national unity and reunification. The Palestinian, and represents a card of strength for the Palestinian position, and removes the pretexts, plans and measures of the occupying power to start a serious and real political process that leads to ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Arab Parliament added, in a statement, that this declaration came in response to the efforts of Algeria, which succeeded in bringing points of view closer and bridging the rift between the Palestinian brothers, highly appreciating the efforts made by Algeria to sponsor the Palestinian national reconciliation file, in addition to the efforts of the Arab countries in this matter, especially the efforts of The Arab Republic of Egypt, and the establishment of a true partnership among the Palestinian people to reach the end of the era of division, and to achieve the supreme interests of the Palestinian people.

The Arab Parliament affirmed the support of the Arab Parliament for the efforts made by the State of Algeria in the file of Palestinian national reconciliation, and appealed to the Palestinian factions to work seriously to implement what came in the document of the Algiers Declaration to restore the unified Palestinian position to face the major challenges facing the Palestinian cause.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Damascus announces the death of a leader of the "Islamic State" organization in southern Syria

Damascus - (AFP) - A leader of the Islamic State blew himself up with an explosive belt, after being surrounded by the Syrian government forces in the south of the country, according to what the official media reported, quoting a security source, on Wednesday, in a rare operation of its kind.


The Syrian source announced, according to what was reported by the official news agency "SANA", that the "competent security authorities carried out a qualitative security operation" that led to "the killing of the terrorist Abu Salem al-Iraqi" in the western countryside of Daraa "after surrounding him and wounding him with several bullets before detonating himself with an explosive belt." .


Al-Iraqi, according to the security source, was the military leader of the extremist organization in southern Syria .


The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the killing of the Iraqi on Tuesday, after he was surrounded by government forces and local gunmen. He said that he had been hiding in the region since 2018, and had participated in the assassinations and chaos in southern Syria from time to time.


Daraa governorate is the only area from which not all fighters of the opposition factions left after the government forces took control of it in 2018, according to a settlement agreement sponsored by Moscow, which kept the presence of opposition fighters who kept light weapons, while the regime forces did not spread throughout the governorate.


The presence of the organization was limited to a small pocket, through an extremist faction that pledged allegiance to it, before it was defeated from the region.


Since 2018, security chaos and unarmed violence have dominated the scene in Daraa governorate, which was the cradle of popular protests in 2011. Explosions and shootings have repeatedly occurred against government forces, or assassinations of loyalists or former opponents, and even civilians who worked for government institutions. The Islamic State adopted the implementation of several of them.


Since the announcement of the elimination of the extremist organization's "caliphate" in 2019, its fighters have mainly retreated to the desert, which extends between the governorates of Homs (central) and Deir ez-Zor (east), where government forces, with Russian air support, are engaged in clashes from time to time with the cells of the organization, causing deaths. From both sides.


A number of the organization's leaders and fighters are also hiding in different villages and regions.


The international coalition, led by Washington, is pursuing the leaders of the organization and carrying out operations to arrest them, whether in Deir ez-Zor or in other areas, most notably Idlib (northeast), where Washington announced in February the death of the former leader of the organization, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurashi, after he blew himself up during an operation launched by US special forces. .


Since 2011, Syria has been witnessing a bloody conflict that has killed about half a million people, caused massive destruction to infrastructure and productive sectors, and led to the displacement of millions of people inside and outside the country.

ARAB AND WORLD

Wed 15 Mar 2023 8:22 pm - Jerusalem Time

Sudan and the UAE sign an agreement worth six billion dollars to establish a port on the Red Sea

Khartoum - (AFP) - Sudan signed an agreement worth six billion dollars on Tuesday with a consortium led by the Abu Dhabi Ports Group and the Invictus Investment Company, to establish the new Abu Amama port, which includes an economic zone, on the Red Sea .


The Sudanese Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Jibril Ibrahim, said during the signing ceremony, "The cost of the project amounts to six billion dollars ... and it will give a strong impetus to the Sudanese economy and bring countless benefits to the country," according to the Sudan News Agency.


The port of Abu Amama, which will be built north of Port Sudan, through which the vast majority of the country's imports and oil exports from South Sudan pass, will include "an industrial area, a tourist area, an international airport ... and a power station, in addition to cultivating 400,000 acres" (about 162,000 hectares), according to Ibrahim. .


The Abu Dhabi Ports Group is mostly owned by the Holding Company (ADQ), an Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, while the Invictus Investment Company is run by Osama Dawood Abdul Latif, who is the Chairman of Dal Corporation, the largest private group in Sudan.


For its part, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the agreement "grants the alliance the rights to develop, manage and operate a port and the assets of an economic zone in Sudan."


The agreement comes a week after the ruling military in Sudan signed, on December 5, a framework agreement with civilian leaders that would extricate the country from the crisis it has been mired in since the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s coup in October 2021 against the transitional authorities. Which was formed after the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in 2019.


The Emirates News Agency described Sudan as a "major trading partner" of the United Arab Emirates, noting that UAE exports to Sudan amounted to $1.14 billion in 2020, while Sudan's exports to the UAE amounted to $1.86 billion in 2020.