PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:48 pm - Jerusalem Time

Naides: Netanyahu will soon receive an invitation to visit the White House

On Tuesday morning, the US ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides , suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would soon receive an invitation to visit the White House , and that might be right after the "Passover" holiday.


Naides said, in statements reported by the Arabic-speaking Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, there is no doubt that Netanyahu will receive the invitation and will meet with President Biden, as they are friends.


He expressed his satisfaction with Netanyahu's announcement to suspend moving forward with judicial legislation, noting that "he slept well last night. I slept soundly. I congratulate the prime minister on this announcement, and as Biden has said several times, we support settlement and dialogue."


For its part, The New York Times reported that Netanyahu, before announcing the suspension of the legislation, had received many warning calls from the White House, stating that he was jeopardizing Israel's reputation as a democratic state.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:48 pm - Jerusalem Time

The health condition of the prisoner, Walid Daqqa, is unstable and dangerous

Today, Tuesday, the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs warned of the seriousness of the health condition of the prisoner Walid Daqqa from the occupied interior, who has been detained for 38 years, and who was recently transferred to the "Israeli Barzlai" hospital, after suffering a new setback, as he entered the stage of real danger.


The commission’s lawyer, Karim Ajwa, explained after his visit to the prisoner, Daqqa, that Walid is in an unstable condition resulting from severe pneumonia, and that his transfer to the hospital was due to his suffering from dizziness and low hemoglobin, where he underwent several medical examinations in the prison clinic, after which he was transferred to the hospital and an indicator. The blood test was then 7.


Ajwa said: "Walid informed me that new medical examinations were conducted for him when he was transferred to the hospital, and a tube was inserted into the lung area to withdraw fluids and find out the causes of acute pneumonia that he suffers from, in addition to his suffering from back and leg pain, fatigue and emaciation when speaking."


He added, "Walid is constantly undergoing an EKG, and an oxygen tube was placed for him to breathe through his nose, and he is scheduled to undergo an imaging of the chest area today, and until this moment, the doctors have not found the cause of acute pneumonia, and there is a daily decrease in his weight."


The commission renewed its call for immediate action to save the prisoner's life, and for there to be immediate intervention to release him, so that his condition can be truly diagnosed, and he is transferred for the necessary and appropriate treatment in one of the qualified hospitals.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:47 pm - Jerusalem Time

The occupation submits an indictment against a prisoner from Gaza

On Tuesday, the Israeli Public Prosecutor filed an indictment against a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip , for allegedly transferring SIM cards to prisoners in prisons, and helping transfer money to them from Hamas , its activists and their families in the West Bank.


According to the indictment, the detainee , Naim al-Sharif (64 years), from Rafah , south of the Gaza Strip, transferred these slides and money during the imprisonment of his wife's nephew, who was serving a prison sentence for his responsibility for placing explosive devices at the Gaza border.


Al-Sharif was arrested on the 6th of this month, while he was passing through the Beit Hanoun / Erez checkpoint, while accompanying his son's wife for treatment in West Bank hospitals.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:40 pm - Jerusalem Time

Large crowds mourn the funeral of the martyr Amir Lawlah in Nablus

Today, Tuesday, large Palestinian crowds mourned the body of the martyr Amir Muhammad Loulah , who succumbed to his wounds sustained in the Israeli aggression on Nablus on February 22.


The funeral procession departed with a military funeral from Al-Najah Hospital, to the martyr's birthplace in the village of Zawata, west of the city.



The family of the martyr Loulah gave a last farewell look at his body in the family home, before he was prayed for and buried in the village cemetery.




PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:38 pm - Jerusalem Time

Halevi arrives in the town.. 12 citizens and 5 settlers from Hawara were arrested

The Hebrew Walla website stated, on Tuesday afternoon, that the Israeli army arrested 12 Palestinians and 5 settlers, due to the clashes that took place yesterday evening in the town of Hawara , south of Nablus .


According to the site, the detainees were taken for interrogation by the Shin Bet.


In a related context, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Herzi Halevi, arrived in the town of Hawara to see the details of the recent shooting operation several days ago, which resulted in the injury of two soldiers.


Halevy was unable to reach the area to see the details of the operation due to the fierce protests in Israel.


The Israeli army is still searching for the perpetrator of the attack.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 28 Mar 2023 12:07 pm - Jerusalem Time

Ukraine shot down Russian parades in the sky of Kiev

Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had shot down more than ten Russian marches over the capital, Kiev , adding that the operation did not result in any casualties.


The single-use marches were central to a series of attacks by Moscow against Ukrainian facilities over the winter, which negatively affected the provision of heating, water and electricity to a large part of the population.


"In total, 12 enemy marches were detected and destroyed by the air force in the sky of Kiev," said the head of the military department in the capital, Sergey Popko.


He confirmed that this did not lead to any injuries.


However, he confirmed that "a fire broke out in a non-residential building due to falling debris from the marches," and the fire was extinguished.


Ukraine's armed forces said that Russia launched a total of 15 Iranian-made drones overnight, 14 of which were destroyed.


"The risk of air and missile strikes remains high across Ukraine," the military added.

Tue 28 Mar 2023 11:57 am - Jerusalem Time

Scientists discover water inside glass grains on the surface of the moon

Scientists announced on Monday that they had discovered water inside glass granules scattered on the surface of the moon , noting that "future scientists" may one day collect these granules and subject them to study.


It was believed for a long time that the moon is characterized by dryness, but many missions have been completed over the past few decades, which have concluded that water is present on the moon, whether on its surface or inside minerals.


Mahesh Anand, a professor of planetary science and exploration at the Open University in the United Kingdom, told AFP that water molecules can be seen "scattering over the surface of the moon" when the sun is shining.


Anand, one of the authors of the study, which was published in the journal Nature Geoscience, added that scientists have not yet been able to "know its exact source."


The study, prepared by a team of researchers headed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, indicated that the glass granules "are likely to be the main reservoir involved in the water cycle on the surface of the moon."


The team analyzed 117 glass beads that were detected by the Chinese Chang'e-5 spacecraft in December 2020 and sent to Earth.


These grains were formed by small meteorites that hit the moon's surface, which lacks the protection usually provided by the atmosphere.


The heat of the collision melted the material that made up the moon's surface, which when cooled turned into round glass grains similar in thickness to one hair.


"In addition to the discovery of water inside glass granules, scientists have concluded that there is a clear effect of the sun," Anand said.


The other component of water, oxygen, is found on the moon's surface, in rocks and minerals.


Anand said this means that the solar wind may have contributed equally to the formation of water on other bodies in the solar system that lack an atmosphere, such as Mercury or asteroids.


The study indicated that the glass granules may constitute about three to five percent of the moon's surface.
She added that the estimated calculations concluded that the glass granules on the surface of the moon may contain about a third of a trillion tons of water.


Anand explained that extracting water from the grains requires subjecting them to a temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius.


While this discovery requires more research, Anand pointed out that exposing the grains to heat and treating them may provide water and even oxygen for "future scientists", helping them to explore "other worlds in a sustainable and responsible way."


Anand explained that the European Space Agency's "Prospect" robot, which is scheduled to be sent to the moon in the year 2025, may be the first spacecraft to be able to collect grains and extract water from them.


The US space agency's "Viper" mission, scheduled to launch late next year, aims to analyze ice in the south pole of the moon.


As for NASA's "Artemis" mission, it also aims to transport astronauts to the moon in the coming years, for the first time since 1972.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 11:32 am - Jerusalem Time

Settlers establish an outpost in the northern Jordan Valley

Recently, settlers established a new settlement outpost , on the eastern side of the Al-Buqi’a Plain, in the northern Jordan Valley .


According to local sources, more than a week ago, a group of settlers placed a small barn and a group of cows in the "Al-Hano" area located on the eastern side of the Peqi'a Plain, and then yesterday they built three "barracks" in the area, and turned it into a settlement outpost.


The sources added, "The area of land that is expected to be fully seized by the outpost is estimated at about 1,800 dunums, noting that these lands are owned by citizens from the town of Tammun."


He explained that the settlers who established this outpost carried out attacks on the shepherds earlier, as they chased them two days ago and beat them, which resulted in one of them being hit in the head with sticks.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 11:23 am - Jerusalem Time

Settlers cut down 14 olive trees west of Bethlehem

Today, Tuesday, settlers cut down 14 fruitful olive trees from the lands of Husan village, west of Bethlehem .


According to local sources, a group of settlers cut down 14 fruitful olive trees in the Sha'ab Kharyan area, belonging to a citizen of the Sabatin family.

ECONOMY

Tue 28 Mar 2023 11:17 am - Jerusalem Time

Statistics: $905 million current account deficit for the fourth quarter of 2022

The latest surveys of the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Monetary Authority , the results of which were released today, Tuesday, showed a continuing deficit in the Palestinian balance of payments (goods, services, income, and current transfers), recording $905 million, in the fourth quarter of 2022.


Statistics and Criticism attributed the continuation of this deficit in the current account to the deficit in the merchandise trade balance, which amounted to 2,116 million US dollars, in addition to the deficit in the services balance, which amounted to 345 million US dollars.


On the other hand, the income account (compensations of workers and investment income) recorded a surplus of $969 million during the fourth quarter of 2022.


Compensation of workers in Israel amounting to $912 million was the main reason for the surplus in the income account, despite the decrease in compensation by 14% compared to the previous quarter.


While investment income received from abroad amounted to $98 million, it mainly resulted from income received on portfolio investments abroad, in addition to interest received on Palestinian deposits in foreign banks.


Net current transfers also recorded a surplus amounting to $587 million. Current transfers to the government sector accounted for 12% of the total current transfers from abroad, a decrease of 68% compared to the previous quarter, while current transfers to other sectors accounted for 88%.


It is worth noting that donor countries' transfers accounted for only about 8% of the total current transfers from abroad.


Preliminary results of the balance of payments indicated a surplus in the capital and financial account amounting to $787 million, as a result of the surplus in the financial account amounting to $679 million.


On the other hand, the reserve assets of the Palestinian Monetary Authority recorded a decrease of $108 million during this quarter, compared to an increase of $175 million in the previous quarter.

ECONOMY

Tue 28 Mar 2023 11:13 am - Jerusalem Time

BP and ADNOC offer to buy 50% of the Israeli New Med Energy

New Med Energy, the Israeli gas group, announced on Tuesday that it had received an offer to buy 50% of its capital from BP and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, "Indoc", in exchange for four billion dollars.


BP confirmed in a press release that it submitted the offer without disclosing its value. New Med Energy owns the rights to exploit more than 45% of the Leviathan field, which is the largest offshore natural gas field in Israel.


The company confirmed that the offer it received on Monday was "non-binding", noting that an audit committee had been appointed to study the details of the deal, which would include the purchase of all the Israeli company's traded shares and a small part of the shares owned by the Israeli giant Delek Holding Company, which is one of the subsidiaries of New Med.


BP said that it "made with ADNOC a non-binding offer to acquire the private company New Med Energy through the acquisition of traded shares and the acquisition of part of Delek's share so that it would own 50 percent of New Med Energy."


In its statement, BP considered the deal an "important first step" in light of its desire and ADNOC to "create a new joint venture company focused on gas development in international areas of mutual interest, including in the eastern Mediterranean."


Yossi Apo, CEO of Israel's New Med, said that the offer came "as a result of the warm relations and bridges built in recent years with energy companies operating in the region."


In a statement, he added that the offer was "an important vote of confidence" in "the Israeli gas market in general and the business and assets of New Med Energy in particular."


The Leviathan field was discovered in 2010, 130 km west of Haifa. The Israeli company estimates that it contains 605 billion cubic meters of natural gas, in addition to 34.1 million barrels of oil and gas condensate.


The field's production began in December 2013, and Israel uses part of the field's gas, which it is connected to through pipelines, and is also exported to Egypt and Jordan.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 28 Mar 2023 10:57 am - Jerusalem Time

Egyptians adhere to Ramadan customs to feed the fasting people, despite the difficult economic conditions

Egyptians are trying to adhere to the traditions of the month of Ramadan in terms of solidarity with the needy and providing donations and breakfast meals to those who are fasting, despite the difficult economic conditions.


"Last year (during Ramadan), we fed 360 people a day... This year, I'm not sure it will even reach 200," an official in the popular neighborhood of Marj, northeast of Cairo, told AFP.


The official, who asked not to be named due to the privacy of the matter, added, "The way people order food was different this year... For them, it is the only opportunity to eat chicken or meat," referring to the significant rise in the prices of such items.


Since late last year, Egypt has been witnessing a crisis in poultry production due to the high cost of feed, which has caused an increase in the price of chicken until it is less served on the Egyptians’ tables, especially those below the poverty line, who make up about 30% of the 105 million population.


And the purchases of Egyptian households declined under the pressure of high inflation, which recorded about 33% in February, at a time when the Egyptians sought to get supplies before the month of fasting.


The Egyptian economy suffers from the repercussions of years of political crises, security tremors and violence, followed by the Covid pandemic, and today from the effects of the Ukrainian war, as Russia and Ukraine are the main countries from which Egypt used to import wheat, and they were also a major source for tourists visiting the country of the Nile.


The Ramadan habit of distributing food in packages or bags containing dry food products or fresh breakfast meals has become a haven for many families to escape hunger and high prices.


"Egyptians are very committed to paying zakat, whether they are Muslims or Copts," says Manal Saleh, CEO of the Egyptian Clothing Bank, one of the founders of the Egyptian Food Bank.


According to government media, Egyptians donated about five billion pounds (about $315 million at the time) to charities in the ten months of 2021. "90% of it is zakat, which is paid during the month of Ramadan," Saleh says.


The current economic crisis is not unique to philanthropists. "We went through crises before... There was also solidarity and steadfastness, and people sympathized with each other," Saleh explains.


And she continues, "Even if the donations from individuals are few, we find, for example, those who volunteer to cook and feed those around them."


Even before Ramadan, charities - on which tens of millions of Egyptians depend - sounded the alarm that the number of people in need of aid will increase at a time when the volume of donations is decreasing.


During the month of Ramadan, the charitable "tables of the Most Gracious", which aims to feed the poor and passers-by, have always been at the forefront of the streets of Egyptian cities at sunset.


Many of these banquets are organized by philanthropists, such as Fouad, a 64-year-old retired engineer who uses a pseudonym because his initiative is not within the framework of registered charities in the country.


Fouad and a group of his friends were forced this year to double their budget to provide breakfast for more fasting people.


He told AFP that, in addition to those without income, "there is a second class of people whose conditions have declined, but they are ashamed to say it."


Throughout Ramadan, Fouad's kitchen and his friends provide fresh meals to families in difficulty, as well as to workers in the surrounding shops who can no longer afford a hot meal, "which may cost them 60 or 70 pounds [two dollars], which is what their homes need."


According to the latest official data for the year 2021, the average monthly salary in Egypt was 4,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $129).


With the high rate of inflation and the local currency losing more than half of its value against the US dollar, the price per kilogram of the lowest-priced types of fresh meat offered by the Egyptian army in the market doubled, reaching 220 pounds, which is equivalent to more than 18% of the value of the average monthly wage for Egyptians.


And with many families squeezing their expenses, charitable budgets were at the forefront of the cuts.


"Two weeks ago, I was frustrated when I realized we might not be able to collect the usual amount," Fouad says.


And he continues, "But whoever was able increased the value of his donations.. There is good in people, and they know the extent of the need of some people now and do not want to cut off this (Ramadan) habit."

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 10:33 am - Jerusalem Time

Occupation forces notify the demolition of a mosque south of Hebron

Today, Tuesday, the Israeli occupation forces notified the demolition of a mosque in the Yatta desert, south of Hebron .


According to local sources, those forces handed the citizens of the "Khashm al-Daraj" community a notice to demolish the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque and the health unit, and gave them a week to object.


The area of the mosque is about 150 square meters, and it serves a number of population centers in Badia and Masafer Yatta.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 10:08 am - Jerusalem Time

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and considers extending its times a dangerous escalation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned what was announced by the so-called al-Haikal groups regarding their agreements with the occupation police, extending the hours of their raids into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the directives of the so-called Minister of National Security Itamar bin Gvir , and considers it an attempt to perpetuate the temporal division of the mosque on a spatial division road.


The ministry said in a statement, today, Tuesday, "We view this colonial, Judaizing and racist decision with extreme gravity as a dangerous escalation in the situation on the conflict arena, and a coup against the understandings between the two sides regarding reducing tension."


And warned of any facilities granted by Ben Ghafir to the intruders and their repercussions in the holy month of Ramadan.


She added, " The Israeli government seeks to satisfy its extremist supporters and resolve its crises at the expense of the rights of our people, foremost of which is introducing radical changes to the status quo in Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem and its sanctities."


The ministry called for a practical and decisive American intervention that would force the Israeli government to stop all its unilateral and illegal measures, in compliance with the signed agreements and the Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh understandings, before it is too late.

ECONOMY

Tue 28 Mar 2023 10:00 am - Jerusalem Time

Asia's GDP is expected to grow by 4.5 percent

The weighted real GDP growth rate is expected to reach 4.5 percent in Asia in 2023, according to a report released by the Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday.


The report, titled "Asian Economic Prospects and Progress in Integration", said that Asian economies, as a major engine of the global economy, are accelerating the pace of comprehensive economic recovery during 2023, which makes them a distinct player in light of the slowdown in the global economy.


The report added that China and India will contribute to half of global growth this year, citing data from the International Monetary Fund.


The report said that despite the deterioration of the global labor market in 2023, the employment situation in Asia, especially in East Asia, may become better than expected.

ECONOMY

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:56 am - Jerusalem Time

Tunisian tourism sector revenues increased by 66% in less than 3 months

Revenues from the Tunisian tourism sector, from the beginning of the year until March 20, increased by 66% compared to the results recorded during the same period last year, according to official statistical data published by the Central Bank of Tunisia (Monday).


According to these data, the value of those revenues during the aforementioned period amounted to 881 million dinars (284,193 thousand dollars).


This increase reflects the beginning of the recovery of the tourism sector in Tunisia, which contributes more than 7% of the country's GDP, with the improvement of the security situation.


This sector was subjected to a series of crises after the fall of the regime of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011, and came very close to deterioration following the terrorist attacks in Tunisia in March and June 2015.


In addition, data from the Central Bank of Tunisia indicated that Tunisia's external debt services increased by 19% during the aforementioned period, reaching 2.2 billion dinars ($709.677 million).


On the other hand, the data showed a decline in Tunisia's foreign exchange reserves, to reach today 22 billion dinars ($7.096 billion), which covers the country's imports for a period of 95 days, compared to 22.9 billion dinars ($7.387 billion) during the same period last year.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:50 am - Jerusalem Time

20 people were killed in a passenger bus accident in southwestern Saudi Arabia

20 people were killed and about 30 were injured in a traffic accident involving a passenger bus that was heading to the city of Mecca , according to the Saudi official media, which indicated that the bus caught fire after it collided with a bridge.


The accident occurred in Aqabat Shaar in the north of the Asir region, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia , and it highlights the challenges that the Kingdom faces in terms of ensuring the safety of those arriving to it to perform Umrah or Hajj.


The accident comes in the first week of Ramadan, a few months before the start of the Hajj season.


And the state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV reported that "20 people died and 29 others were injured in a passenger bus accident at Aqaba Shaar" in the northern Asir region.


The channel indicated that the accident occurred "because of the bus's brakes ventilating, then it collided with a bridge, overturned and caught fire."


The channel posted on its Twitter account a video recording showing its reporter apparently standing in front of the burning bus structure.


Transportation to the holy sites in Saudi Arabia, whether to perform Umrah or Hajj, is a arduous and sometimes risky task, as buses often cause traffic jams.


In October 2019, 35 people of Asian and Arab nationalities died in the city, when a passenger bus collided with a truck.

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:38 am - Jerusalem Time

The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving at least 238,500 orphans in the United States

There are at least 238,500 children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States whose lives have been turned upside down in the past three years by the loss of a parent or primary caregiver, according to Imperial College London's COVID-Orphan Count Unit. ).


Globally, there have been more than eight million COVID-orphans since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, CNN reported Sunday.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:33 am - Jerusalem Time

Turkish Minister of Defense: Approximately 60,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey return to their country after the earthquakes

Turkey's Defense Minister said today (Monday) that nearly 60,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland after earthquakes in February destroyed their homes in Turkey .


"About 60,000 Syrians living in Turkey have returned to their lands due to the loss of their homes and relatives," said Hulusi Akar, who is on the border line of the quake-hit southern Hatay province.


The minister denied allegations of an influx of refugees from Syria , stressing that the Turkish borders are strictly protected from illegal crossings.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:31 am - Jerusalem Time

Dozens of settlers storm Al-Aqsa

On Tuesday morning, dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque , under the strict protection of the occupation police.


The settlers made provocative tours inside the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and performed Talmudic rituals.


Settler groups storm Al-Aqsa on a daily basis, except for Friday and Saturday.

ARAB AND WORLD

Tue 28 Mar 2023 9:29 am - Jerusalem Time

America's "false" democracy impedes the building of a stable political system in Libya

The Libyans were pinning hopes on achieving the American democracy that Libya adopts and is trying to adopt in the country, to instill stability and democratic transformation in this country that has been torn apart by chaos and division for 12 years.


However, it seems that the American approach and interference in internal affairs is still hindering the aspirations of the Libyans to build the state they aspire to.


Although the United States claims that it deals with the Libyan file with an open, democratic and transparent policy to help the country solve its political problems, in fact it is trying to hide its interference in its private affairs, which caused a crisis and complicated the political and economic situation of the country.


In this context, political analyst Faraj al-Dali believes that "the United States is always trying to show that it is a pioneer in democracy, human rights, and public freedoms, but the reality is the opposite of this belief, and this is due to the fact that the American experience suffers from clear distortions in its system itself."


"Washington should know very well that every country has a different identity, sovereignty and a different system that does not necessarily agree with it, and this is the essence of democracy, difference and respect for that, not agreement and imposing it by force," he told Xinhua.


The opinion was shared by Jalal al-Fitouri, a professor of law at Libyan universities, when he told Xinhua, "America is trying to delude the world that it has a unique and strong system, and this is a legitimate right, but it must convince others through diplomacy, not through coercion, war, provoking strife and overthrowing regimes, as happened." In Iraq, Syria, Libya and other countries.


In conjunction with the United States hosting a conference on democracy this March, Libya has passed 12 years since the overthrow of the previous regime in 2011, as it is still paying the price for the American intervention and the complication and obstruction of political and economic life and the deprivation of Libyans from exercising their most basic rights by choosing the system that is in line with them. .


Meanwhile, Ismail Ben Gharsa, a 60-year-old Libyan citizen, married with five children and working in the electricity company, said, "America claimed that it rid the Libyans of Gaddafi so that they could enjoy democracy and freely choose their regime, but in reality it caused chaos and insecurity and left us." We are facing a dark fate of non-statehood."


In his interview with Xinhua, he added, "We only want America and its Western allies to desist from us, and not to interfere in our affairs, because we alone are able to choose the system that is in line with our privacy and our social and political traditions."


Omar al-Sharif, a 32-year-old citizen from Tripoli, agrees with Ben Gharsa, and considers that America claims democracy and adorns itself with it, but hides within itself the "real ghost" of wars and destruction of Libya and the Arab countries and "the theft of its wealth under the pretext of fighting terrorism."


And he added that the truth is that America is contradictory in its policies, so how can the United States host a summit of democracy when it is originally a colonial country that lives on plundering the wealth of other peoples.


It is worth noting that Libya suffers from political division, chaos and instability, as there are two authorities fighting over the rule of the country, and the elections, which were postponed at the end of 2021 for security reasons and political differences, remain the dream of the Libyans.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 6:17 am - Jerusalem Time

Haaretz reveals the details of Bennett's visit to the UAE

The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported that the former Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett , who met yesterday with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, had met with him for 3 hours.


The newspaper quoted informed sources, that Bennett discussed with bin Zayed relations with Israel in light of talk about its recent deterioration, stressing that relations with the UAE are good and have not been damaged.


According to the newspaper, Bennett went to the Emirates to strengthen relations during the recent difficult period in relations, and he also held 5 meetings with senior officials in the country, including Sheikh Khaldoun Al Mubarak, CEO of the Investment Fund, and Sheikh Hamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. .


The current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu , postponed his visit to the UAE several times, for various reasons, the last of which was less than two months ago after the extremist minister , Itamar Ben Gvir , stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the UAE denounced that, which was said to have frozen deals with Israel in recent weeks due to the tension in relations over Background of what is happening in Tel Aviv.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 5:57 am - Jerusalem Time

The occupation arrests 13 citizens from separate areas in the West Bank and Jerusalem

At dawn on Tuesday, the Israeli occupation forces arrested 13 citizens in separate areas of the West Bank and occupied Jerusalem .


According to local sources, the occupation forces stormed the homes of the two prisoners, Ammar Jawabreh and Wael Al-Badawi, in Al-Aroub camp, north of Hebron, and searched their homes thoroughly, while they arrested Ismail Al-Hawamdeh, from the town of Al-Samou, south of Hebron.


In Jenin, similar forces arrested four young men, namely: Ali Iyad Samar, Morhaf Abdul Hameed Hoshieh, Basil Faraj Khamaysa, and Raafat Iyad Hoshieh, after raiding the town of al-Yamoun and storming the homes of their families and tampering with their contents amidst the outbreak of confrontations.


In Jericho, the occupation forces arrested Mohammed Majed Anad, a resident of Aqabat Jaber camp, south of the city, at a flying checkpoint that they had set up at the southern entrance to the city.


In occupied Jerusalem, the occupation forces arrested the activist Nizam Abu Ramoz from the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, while they assaulted the young man, Muhammad Burqan, at the “Majlis Gate” after he left the dawn prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque.


In Bethlehem, Iyad Fouad Hamamreh, Abd Badr Shusha, and Saber Abd al-Hadi Shusha were arrested from the town of Husan, west of the city, while the citizen Ayman Allan Al-Wahsh (50 years old) was arrested from the town of Za'tara, east of the city.



PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 5:18 am - Jerusalem Time

Expected negotiations.. The Israeli Knesset passes the general budget in light of the continued protests

The Israeli Knesset plenary passed, at dawn on Tuesday, the budget bill for the years 2023-2024, in first reading, after it was presented by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich .


This comes in light of the continuing protests that continued after midnight against the "judicial reforms" led by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu .


The Israeli police in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem dispersed rallies of supporters and opponents of the Netanyahu government, and arrested 23 Israelis before releasing them later.


Yesterday, Monday evening, Netanyahu announced a temporary freeze of the reforms that his government seeks to pass in the Knesset, during the last summer session, provided that work is done to pass them in the winter session after months.


Netanyahu called for opening a dialogue with all parties in order to reach a solution that would prevent the Israeli people from being torn apart from within, he said.


Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the call for dialogue, and Netanyahu called, opposition leader Yair Lapid and national camp leader Benny Gantz , who welcomed the call for dialogue.


Herzog called on everyone to start a process of broad negotiations on the "legal revolution", as he called it, calling for the formation of negotiating teams, which was approved by Gantz, who announced a team of 3 Knesset members from his party to represent him.


Gantz spoke with Netanyahu by phone and welcomed his move, calling on him to keep Yoav Gallant as army minister after he dismissed him, because this step is necessary to maintain calm and Israeli national security.


Leaders of other opposition parties, such as Labor leader Merav Michaeli, and Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, accused Netanyahu of prevarication and that he does not intend to stop these judicial legislations, and is trying to buy time to calm the Israeli public, which took to the streets condemning his steps.

PALESTINE

Tue 28 Mar 2023 4:52 am - Jerusalem Time

He was wounded during a massacre carried out by the occupation.. A young man succumbed to his wounds in Nablus

On Tuesday morning, Omair Muhammad Loulah (23 years old) died of his critical wounds, which he sustained more than a month ago, when the occupation forces shot him in Nablus .


According to local sources, Loulah, who is from the town of Zawata , has been receiving treatment at Al-Najah Hospital since he was injured during the occupation forces' storming of the city and its old town, on 22 February.


In that operation, the two martyrs, Hussam Aslim and Muhammad al-Junaidi , were martyred after they were surrounded in a house, along with a group of martyrs, their number at that time reached 10, and the death of Lulouh, the number reached 11.

PALESTINE

Mon 27 Mar 2023 11:11 pm - Jerusalem Time

A child was killed in a trampling accident west of Salfit

A two-and-a-half-year-old child was killed, Monday evening, in a trampling accident in the town of Bidya, west of Salfit .


The media spokesman for the police , Colonel Louay Arziqat , stated in a press statement that the child was trampled while he was in front of his house, by a member of his family, which caused him severe injuries, after which he was transferred to the Martyr Yasser Arafat Hospital in the city of Salfit, where the doctors announced his death.


Erziqat added that the Public Prosecution Office was informed and the traffic police investigated the accident, to find out its causes.

PALESTINE

Mon 27 Mar 2023 10:18 pm - Jerusalem Time

An Israeli special force arrests two young men north of Jerusalem

On Monday evening, an Israeli special force arrested two young men from the town of Kafr Aqab , north of occupied Jerusalem .


According to local sources, this force stormed the town and arrested the two young men, Ahmed Hisham Mutair and Walid Saqr Al Balaa, while they were on the main street in the town.


Meanwhile, an occupation army force stormed the town after arresting the two youths, which led to clashes, during which the soldiers fired stun grenades at the citizens, without any injuries reported.

PALESTINE

Mon 27 Mar 2023 9:37 pm - Jerusalem Time

Netanyahu announces a freeze on passing reforms in light of the continuing demonstrations, and Lapid and Gantz welcome

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, on Monday evening, his official decision to postpone passing the "judicial reforms" that his government has been trying for weeks to pass through a bill passed in the Knesset plenary in the first reading, and he was expected to pass within days in the second and third readings.


Netanyahu said in a press conference from the Knesset headquarters that he had agreed with his allies on this step, noting that he would work to pass it in the winter session of the Knesset in a few weeks.


He affirmed his and his allies' insistence on passing these reforms, calling for launching a broad dialogue in order to reach an agreement on these amendments to the judicial system.


He accused some parties, which he did not name, of trying to tear the Israeli people apart, stressing that he would not allow that.


The speech took place in the wake of mass demonstrations rejecting judicial reforms, the largest of which is in front of the Knesset headquarters, which is also witnessing a march of the extreme right, with the participation of ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.


Later, opposition leader Yair Lapid , as well as his former ally Benny Gantz , welcomed Netanyahu's invitation to dialogue, calling in two separate conferences for that to be in the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog .


While the various trade unions announced the return of full economic, health and educational activity after the strike that affected the day.

PALESTINE

Mon 27 Mar 2023 9:17 pm - Jerusalem Time

Shtayyeh calls for an international effort to end the occupation and establish the State of Palestine

Today, Monday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh called for a serious international effort to create a political horizon based on the Arab Peace Initiative, leading to the end of the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine .


This came during his reception in his office in Ramallah, the Director General of Political Affairs at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Christian Buck , in the presence of the German representative to Palestine, Oliver Ovcha, where he discussed with him the latest developments and developments in the political situation.


Shtayyeh stressed that "the more internal crises in Israel increase, this will be reflected in more measures towards our people, including killing, arrests, incursions, and more land seizures in favor of settlement expansion, and the destruction of any opportunity for the establishment of a Palestinian state."


He renewed his call on the international community to put pressure on Israel to oblige it to the agreements signed with it, to release the martyrs whose bodies are withheld and the martyrs of the number cemeteries, to release the withheld Palestinian funds, and to hold elections in all Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem, according to the signed agreements.

ARAB AND WORLD

Mon 27 Mar 2023 8:46 pm - Jerusalem Time

Biden does not fear a "civil war" in Israel

The White House confirmed on Monday that US President Joe Biden "does not fear the development of matters in Israel into a civil war," in response to a question about the serious crisis in the Hebrew state.


"Israel has a long tradition of democracy," said John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council.


However, he stressed that the United States has "concerns" regarding the project to amend the judicial system, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to approve.


On Monday afternoon, 80,000 people, according to Israeli media estimates, demonstrated in the vicinity of the Knesset in Jerusalem, to protest the proposed amendment.


On Monday, Israel's largest trade union called for a general strike, which it believes will have a high rate of compliance in both the public and private sectors.