25 may 2015
The Arab League has warned from the collapse of the educational process in Palestine due to the Israeli occupation discriminatory policies and the Palestinian and Arab identity obliteration.
In his speech Sunday during the the opening session of the 72nd course for the council of the educational affairs, Assistant Secretary General of Palestine Affairs in the Arab League, Mohammad Sbeih confirmed the necessity of Arab support to the educational process for Palestinian students, and the strong steadfast against the Israeli occupation attempts to strip them from education, which can produce a generation that is able to challenge the occupation and establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Sbeih also warned that Israel was continually targeting the educational procedure in Jerusalem through imposing the Israeli curriculum on East Jerusalem educational institutes, to completely demolish the Arab identity and Judaize Jerusalem.
Occupation is also preventing the establishment of any new schools in East Jerusalem or renovating the old ones, which lead to lack of about 1000 classrooms, in addition to using ineligible rooms for classes, such as narrow corridors, caravans and Zinc rooms crowded and narrow. The expensiveness of private schools also lead to the increase of students dropping out at an early age.
"Israel, the occupying Power, on May 15 celebrated its sixty-seventh anniversary of occupying Palestinian land, and destroying all sides of Palestinian daily life including economic, social, health, cultural, and mostly; educational, since the occupation is aware of its importance in nation-structure and its effect on the strength of a nation," Sbeih said.
He continued, "Israel is using every possible way to restrict the movement of Palestinian student in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and fight against having an academically educated Palestinian youth by preventing them from heading to universities."
Sbeih assured that Israeli forces in their consecutive attacks on Gaza always targeted educational institutes and hindered the reconstruction process. They also blocked the school textbooks from being entered to the strip and prevented Gazans from reaching West Bank universities, scattering the Palestinian curriculum.
The conference on the educational process in Palestine will be held for six days in Cairo starting Sunday. It discusses the Israeli occupation impact on it and the policies used against it in Jerusalem and all over occupied Palestine.
Participators include delegations from Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, The Arab Organizations for Education, Culture and Science, Association of Arab Universities, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees 'UNRWA'.
In his speech Sunday during the the opening session of the 72nd course for the council of the educational affairs, Assistant Secretary General of Palestine Affairs in the Arab League, Mohammad Sbeih confirmed the necessity of Arab support to the educational process for Palestinian students, and the strong steadfast against the Israeli occupation attempts to strip them from education, which can produce a generation that is able to challenge the occupation and establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Sbeih also warned that Israel was continually targeting the educational procedure in Jerusalem through imposing the Israeli curriculum on East Jerusalem educational institutes, to completely demolish the Arab identity and Judaize Jerusalem.
Occupation is also preventing the establishment of any new schools in East Jerusalem or renovating the old ones, which lead to lack of about 1000 classrooms, in addition to using ineligible rooms for classes, such as narrow corridors, caravans and Zinc rooms crowded and narrow. The expensiveness of private schools also lead to the increase of students dropping out at an early age.
"Israel, the occupying Power, on May 15 celebrated its sixty-seventh anniversary of occupying Palestinian land, and destroying all sides of Palestinian daily life including economic, social, health, cultural, and mostly; educational, since the occupation is aware of its importance in nation-structure and its effect on the strength of a nation," Sbeih said.
He continued, "Israel is using every possible way to restrict the movement of Palestinian student in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and fight against having an academically educated Palestinian youth by preventing them from heading to universities."
Sbeih assured that Israeli forces in their consecutive attacks on Gaza always targeted educational institutes and hindered the reconstruction process. They also blocked the school textbooks from being entered to the strip and prevented Gazans from reaching West Bank universities, scattering the Palestinian curriculum.
The conference on the educational process in Palestine will be held for six days in Cairo starting Sunday. It discusses the Israeli occupation impact on it and the policies used against it in Jerusalem and all over occupied Palestine.
Participators include delegations from Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, The Arab Organizations for Education, Culture and Science, Association of Arab Universities, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees 'UNRWA'.
The Israeli occupation police on Monday morning arrested five Palestinian civilians from Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque at the same time as they safeguarded hordes of fanatic settlers defiling the holy site on accounts of upcoming Jewish holidays.
According to the Quds Press news agency, the Israeli occupation cops detained five Palestinians, identified as Qusai Dendis, Mohamed al-Hashlamon, Taha Shawahna and Abu Bakr Sheimi from the Al-Silsila Gate. Nidham Abu Ramouz was meanwhile kidnapped from al-Asbat Gate.
In the meantime, three gangs of Israeli extremist settlers, escorted by police guards, broke into the al-Aqsa Mosque and defiled its plazas until 9 a.m., the same source added.
The peaceful Muslim sit-inners at the Mosque have stood on the alert to such desecration break-ins, chanting “Allah the Greatest” all the way through.
The Israeli break-inners attempted at stepping up tension at the holy site by performing a set of sacrilegious rituals and yelling anti-Muslim slogans.
Earlier, in a predawn abduction campaign launched across Occupied Jerusalem the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped 10 Palestinians, mostly minors in their 16s of age, from Jerusalem’s neighborhoods of Ras al-Amoud, Silwan, and al-Issawiya.
According to the Quds Press news agency, the Israeli occupation cops detained five Palestinians, identified as Qusai Dendis, Mohamed al-Hashlamon, Taha Shawahna and Abu Bakr Sheimi from the Al-Silsila Gate. Nidham Abu Ramouz was meanwhile kidnapped from al-Asbat Gate.
In the meantime, three gangs of Israeli extremist settlers, escorted by police guards, broke into the al-Aqsa Mosque and defiled its plazas until 9 a.m., the same source added.
The peaceful Muslim sit-inners at the Mosque have stood on the alert to such desecration break-ins, chanting “Allah the Greatest” all the way through.
The Israeli break-inners attempted at stepping up tension at the holy site by performing a set of sacrilegious rituals and yelling anti-Muslim slogans.
Earlier, in a predawn abduction campaign launched across Occupied Jerusalem the Israeli occupation forces kidnapped 10 Palestinians, mostly minors in their 16s of age, from Jerusalem’s neighborhoods of Ras al-Amoud, Silwan, and al-Issawiya.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) banned the Adan (Muslims’ call to prayer) through the loudspeakers of the Ibrahimi Mosque, from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening, claiming it bothers Jewish settlers.
A PIC news reporter quoted eye-witnesses saying Israeli occupation prohibited the performance of Muslims’ Adan at the Ibrahimi Mosque since early Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening under the pretext of the advent of Jewish holidays.
The Israeli occupation has prohibited the call to prayer dozens of times during a month, claiming it cheeses off Israeli settlers, most of whom reportedly live in illegal settlement outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in a flagrant contravention of international law.
Human rights activists dubbed the ban an assault on heavenly religions and on the freedom of worship, saying the Israeli occupation has crossed all red lines in its barefaced infringement of international decrees and human rights.
A PIC news reporter quoted eye-witnesses saying Israeli occupation prohibited the performance of Muslims’ Adan at the Ibrahimi Mosque since early Saturday afternoon until Sunday evening under the pretext of the advent of Jewish holidays.
The Israeli occupation has prohibited the call to prayer dozens of times during a month, claiming it cheeses off Israeli settlers, most of whom reportedly live in illegal settlement outposts across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in a flagrant contravention of international law.
Human rights activists dubbed the ban an assault on heavenly religions and on the freedom of worship, saying the Israeli occupation has crossed all red lines in its barefaced infringement of international decrees and human rights.
24 may 2015
The Wadi Helwa Information Center on Sunday warned of Israeli intents to grab hold of five donums and 200 square meters of Palestinian lands in Jerusalem’s Silwan city, to the south of Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
A collection of maps and aerial photos propagated by The Wadi Helwa center in a press statement points up a plan devised by the so-called Ateret Cohanim settlement group to misappropriate five donums and 200 square meters of Palestinian lands in the al-Hara al-Wosta, in Silwan, after claiming the targeted land lots Jewish estates dating back to 1981.
Some 30 to 35 residential structures, homes to over 300 Palestinian natives, have been constructed over the targeted land tracts since the early 1960’s, a fact reportedly corroborated by a set of legal documents and records.
Lawyer of the Ateret settlement organization handed the al-Rajabi family an order to evacuate their land, where an eight-story residential apartment of the family was built long time ago, under the pretext that it is a Jewish property.
A collection of maps and aerial photos propagated by The Wadi Helwa center in a press statement points up a plan devised by the so-called Ateret Cohanim settlement group to misappropriate five donums and 200 square meters of Palestinian lands in the al-Hara al-Wosta, in Silwan, after claiming the targeted land lots Jewish estates dating back to 1981.
Some 30 to 35 residential structures, homes to over 300 Palestinian natives, have been constructed over the targeted land tracts since the early 1960’s, a fact reportedly corroborated by a set of legal documents and records.
Lawyer of the Ateret settlement organization handed the al-Rajabi family an order to evacuate their land, where an eight-story residential apartment of the family was built long time ago, under the pretext that it is a Jewish property.
The Islamic-Christian Committee to Support Occupied Jerusalem and
Holy Sites on Sunday warned from calls by the Temple mount organization,
to collectively raid Al-Aqsa mosque on the occasion of Revelation of
the Torah.
The committee considered these calls a threatening danger on the holy mosque, where extremist groups will pilgrim collectively today and tomorrow. It also called on the Palestinians who can reach the mosque to be there and protect it from settler attacks.
Secretary general of the committee, Dr. Hanna Issa said that these attacks reflect the Israeli extremism and Zionist ideology, which violates religious rights and attacks sanctuaries and houses of worship, violating all the international laws.
The committee in a statement assured that the repetitive attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque flagrantly challenge the international community and religious rights. The committee added that the attacks were preparation for the proclaimed day to establish the temple mount over the ruins of Al-Aqsa mosque.
The statement pointed out new violation every single day, including attacks, prayers, Talmudic traditions in Muslim compounds, in addition to the continuous excavations and Judaization activities.
To his part, head of the Higher Islamic committee, His Eminence Sheikh Ikrima Sabri told PNN that the settler groups exploit their religious occasions to break into Al-Aqsa mosque, adding that the situation was becoming more nervous and intense day by day.
Israeli occupation forces this morning imposed curfew on Al-Aqsa mosque and restrictions on the worshipers, preventing them from entering, in addition to closing down the markets around the mosque while the Israeli settlers were allowed into the mosque.
The settlers were escorted by the Israeli police and private units, physically attacking the Palestinians, of whom one woman and one youngster were arrested.
The committee considered these calls a threatening danger on the holy mosque, where extremist groups will pilgrim collectively today and tomorrow. It also called on the Palestinians who can reach the mosque to be there and protect it from settler attacks.
Secretary general of the committee, Dr. Hanna Issa said that these attacks reflect the Israeli extremism and Zionist ideology, which violates religious rights and attacks sanctuaries and houses of worship, violating all the international laws.
The committee in a statement assured that the repetitive attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque flagrantly challenge the international community and religious rights. The committee added that the attacks were preparation for the proclaimed day to establish the temple mount over the ruins of Al-Aqsa mosque.
The statement pointed out new violation every single day, including attacks, prayers, Talmudic traditions in Muslim compounds, in addition to the continuous excavations and Judaization activities.
To his part, head of the Higher Islamic committee, His Eminence Sheikh Ikrima Sabri told PNN that the settler groups exploit their religious occasions to break into Al-Aqsa mosque, adding that the situation was becoming more nervous and intense day by day.
Israeli occupation forces this morning imposed curfew on Al-Aqsa mosque and restrictions on the worshipers, preventing them from entering, in addition to closing down the markets around the mosque while the Israeli settlers were allowed into the mosque.
The settlers were escorted by the Israeli police and private units, physically attacking the Palestinians, of whom one woman and one youngster were arrested.
22 may 2015
“Al-Aqsa Mosque is ours forever, and as Allah is my witness and history will testify, it will remain ours forever,” Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, said Thursday evening.
Davutoglu stressed that his country “cannot be an ally or friend of those who desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque with their boots” referring to Israelis who vandalize the holy site on a frequent basis.
The speech Davutoglu gave in front of massive crowds in the state of Amasya, north of the country, was done within the framework of the campaign conducted by the party in preparation for the general election which is expected to hit the country early next month.
In a pre-election war of words, Davutoglu slammed Turkish opposition leaders who said that Jerusalem is to be considered a private land for the Jews – in reference to Salahuddin Demirtash, Party leader of the Democratic Peoples, and other statements from Kamal Ihsanoglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s largest opposition party, in which these criticized poor relations with Israel.
“We will not befriend those who desecrated Al-Aqsa with their boots,” he said in response to the opposition, adding “let them go and be friends with them (the Israelis) as they wish.”
“Before 2002, Turkey was unable to even buy an infantry rifle; tanks would come from a grant from the State, and then would be sent to Israel in order to repair them,” the Turkish PM further pointed out.
He hailed Turkey’s Justice and Development Party which “has been working in silence” rather than hoodwinking the public with “mere words.”
Davutoglu stressed that his country “cannot be an ally or friend of those who desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque with their boots” referring to Israelis who vandalize the holy site on a frequent basis.
The speech Davutoglu gave in front of massive crowds in the state of Amasya, north of the country, was done within the framework of the campaign conducted by the party in preparation for the general election which is expected to hit the country early next month.
In a pre-election war of words, Davutoglu slammed Turkish opposition leaders who said that Jerusalem is to be considered a private land for the Jews – in reference to Salahuddin Demirtash, Party leader of the Democratic Peoples, and other statements from Kamal Ihsanoglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s largest opposition party, in which these criticized poor relations with Israel.
“We will not befriend those who desecrated Al-Aqsa with their boots,” he said in response to the opposition, adding “let them go and be friends with them (the Israelis) as they wish.”
“Before 2002, Turkey was unable to even buy an infantry rifle; tanks would come from a grant from the State, and then would be sent to Israel in order to repair them,” the Turkish PM further pointed out.
He hailed Turkey’s Justice and Development Party which “has been working in silence” rather than hoodwinking the public with “mere words.”
Hamas on Thursday warned of the repercussions of Israeli decisions to transfer government ministers to Occupied Jerusalem, dubbing the move a flagrant violation of international resolutions.
Political bureau member of Hamas, Ezzet Resheq, said in written statements the decision to transfer government ministers will turn into an ill omen for Israelis.
“But Jerusalem will remain as intrinsically Palestinian and indivisible as it has always been. It will oust all Judaization schemes,” Resheq stated.
He branded Israel’s endorsement of decisions to move ministerial offices to Occupied Jerusalem “a flagrant violation of international laws and a manifestation of the state of despair and panic overwhelming Israelis and the future of their colonizing entity.”
“There is no doubt that the Israeli occupation will take its last breath sometime soon. But Jerusalem shall forever remain Arabs’ and Muslims’ own property and the eternal capital of the Palestinian independent state and the Islamic nation as a whole.”
Political bureau member of Hamas, Ezzet Resheq, said in written statements the decision to transfer government ministers will turn into an ill omen for Israelis.
“But Jerusalem will remain as intrinsically Palestinian and indivisible as it has always been. It will oust all Judaization schemes,” Resheq stated.
He branded Israel’s endorsement of decisions to move ministerial offices to Occupied Jerusalem “a flagrant violation of international laws and a manifestation of the state of despair and panic overwhelming Israelis and the future of their colonizing entity.”
“There is no doubt that the Israeli occupation will take its last breath sometime soon. But Jerusalem shall forever remain Arabs’ and Muslims’ own property and the eternal capital of the Palestinian independent state and the Islamic nation as a whole.”
21 may 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) established a nightclub and café over an Islamic historic cemetery in Occupied Jerusalem within the Israeli accelerated moves to Judaize the Islamic landmarks in the city.
In a press statement, the Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage condemned the Israeli continuation of desecrating the cemetery.
The Foundation which visited the cemetery asked the Islamic and Arab countries as well as the Palestinian people to urgently work on confronting such desecration of the cemetery in which a number of the Sahaba (Prophet Mohammad’s friends) and many of the Islamic scientists were buried over 1400 years.
It added that the construction and equipment of the nightclub has been completed for a soon opening after confiscating the cemetery and turning it into a public park. The cemetery is the biggest and oldest graveyard in Palestine.
According to Israeli media sources, the facility will be opened in May. It lies on an area of 250 square meters over a land of an area of 450 square meters. It is equipped for public ceremonies with 110 chairs including a bar and a wide courtyard and will be run by an Israeli company.
In a press statement, the Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage condemned the Israeli continuation of desecrating the cemetery.
The Foundation which visited the cemetery asked the Islamic and Arab countries as well as the Palestinian people to urgently work on confronting such desecration of the cemetery in which a number of the Sahaba (Prophet Mohammad’s friends) and many of the Islamic scientists were buried over 1400 years.
It added that the construction and equipment of the nightclub has been completed for a soon opening after confiscating the cemetery and turning it into a public park. The cemetery is the biggest and oldest graveyard in Palestine.
According to Israeli media sources, the facility will be opened in May. It lies on an area of 250 square meters over a land of an area of 450 square meters. It is equipped for public ceremonies with 110 chairs including a bar and a wide courtyard and will be run by an Israeli company.
Israeli
intelligence members along with groups of settlers stormed Thursday
the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque. Jewish groups of settlers called for
massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday.
Nineteen members of Israeli intelligence forces broke into the holy site from the Israeli controlled Magharebah gate and toured the Mosque’s courtyards within their explorative morning incursions.
In addition, twenty seven Jewish settlers stormed the Mosque amid confrontation of Muslim worshipers who chanted Allahu Akabar. Meanwhile, Israeli policemen tightened security measures until the Jews went out from al-Silsilah gate.
Extremist Jewish settlers called for massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday to celebrate what they call “Weeks- the Descent of Torah” with the participation of the groups of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
Nineteen members of Israeli intelligence forces broke into the holy site from the Israeli controlled Magharebah gate and toured the Mosque’s courtyards within their explorative morning incursions.
In addition, twenty seven Jewish settlers stormed the Mosque amid confrontation of Muslim worshipers who chanted Allahu Akabar. Meanwhile, Israeli policemen tightened security measures until the Jews went out from al-Silsilah gate.
Extremist Jewish settlers called for massive Torah pilgrimage to the holy site on next Monday to celebrate what they call “Weeks- the Descent of Torah” with the participation of the groups of the alleged Temple of Solomon.
20 may 2015
The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee approved on Wednesday the construction of 90 settlement units in the Har Homa outpost in southern Occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli sources revealed that Jerusalem municipality along with Israeli government have decided to continue settlement construction in the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
The sources underlined that Israeli government is continuing the establishment of settlements in Har Homa outpost in particular regardless of the opposition of the international community.
"This means that Israel is going into confrontation rather than political agreement to end the conflict,” the sources added.
Israeli sources revealed that Jerusalem municipality along with Israeli government have decided to continue settlement construction in the neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
The sources underlined that Israeli government is continuing the establishment of settlements in Har Homa outpost in particular regardless of the opposition of the international community.
"This means that Israel is going into confrontation rather than political agreement to end the conflict,” the sources added.
Extremist Jewish settlers stormed Wednesday different neighborhoods in the Old City of al-Khalil under Israeli security measures.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that a number of Jewish settlers broke into the Old City which is leading to al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Mosque under tight security measures by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
The settlers provocatively toured the Old City’s streets while IOF soldiers stopped the Palestinian passersby.
The IOF soldiers checked the identity cards of the Palestinians and even searched some of their children.
They tightened the security measures amid the presence of Israeli policemen who were deployed in the vicinity of al-Ibrahimi Mosque, the eyewitnesses added.
Eyewitnesses told the PIC reporter that a number of Jewish settlers broke into the Old City which is leading to al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Mosque under tight security measures by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
The settlers provocatively toured the Old City’s streets while IOF soldiers stopped the Palestinian passersby.
The IOF soldiers checked the identity cards of the Palestinians and even searched some of their children.
They tightened the security measures amid the presence of Israeli policemen who were deployed in the vicinity of al-Ibrahimi Mosque, the eyewitnesses added.
The PLO Department of International Relations called on Tuesday for a “real and urgent” U.N. intervention to stop the Israeli demolition policy in occupied Jerusalem.
The International Relation Department also stressed the need to put an end to the Judaization policy and to protect the occupied city’s Islamic and Arab character.
These Israel’s escalated violations came as part its annexation policy and efforts to foil the two-state solution and any attempt to establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital city.
The statement pointed out that hundreds of Jerusalemite facilities were demolished under the pretext of being built without permit including houses, stores, shops, tents, sheds, and weels.
According to the PLO International Relation Department, 77 houses and facilities were demolished since the beginning of the year in occupied Jerusalem.
The International Relation Department also stressed the need to put an end to the Judaization policy and to protect the occupied city’s Islamic and Arab character.
These Israel’s escalated violations came as part its annexation policy and efforts to foil the two-state solution and any attempt to establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital city.
The statement pointed out that hundreds of Jerusalemite facilities were demolished under the pretext of being built without permit including houses, stores, shops, tents, sheds, and weels.
According to the PLO International Relation Department, 77 houses and facilities were demolished since the beginning of the year in occupied Jerusalem.
19 may 2015
A horde of Israeli extremist settlers on Tuesday morning broke into the plazas of Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque and physically assaulted members of al-Aqsa supervision personnel and peaceful Muslim worshipers.
A tape propagated by a media institution shows live video snapshots of Israeli settlers aggressively attacking al-Aqsa guards near Sabil Qaitbay, resulting in a fistfight between the guards and the Israeli vandals.
Tension has reportedly flared up at the holy site as a result of Israelis’ attempt to desecrate the mosque.
The situation has gone remarkably worse after large troops of the Israeli occupation forces suddenly showed up at the Mosque and beat up members of al-Aqsa supervision staff and Muslim congregation, further inflaming the already summering tension.
A tape propagated by a media institution shows live video snapshots of Israeli settlers aggressively attacking al-Aqsa guards near Sabil Qaitbay, resulting in a fistfight between the guards and the Israeli vandals.
Tension has reportedly flared up at the holy site as a result of Israelis’ attempt to desecrate the mosque.
The situation has gone remarkably worse after large troops of the Israeli occupation forces suddenly showed up at the Mosque and beat up members of al-Aqsa supervision staff and Muslim congregation, further inflaming the already summering tension.
The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement has criticised Israel's prime minister for his remarks that he would never allow the city of Jerusalem to be divided during his rule regardless of any future negotiations with the Palestinians. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Monday that Benjamin Netanyahu's comments prove the failure of trying to negotiate a deal with the Israelis.
"Talking about negotiations with the Israeli occupation is like chasing a mirage" said Abu Zuhri. He called on the Palestinian politicians who endorse talks with the occupying power to admit that they have failed as an option, and align themselves with the national consensus and resist the occupation.
Netanyahu told the audience at a "Jerusalem Day" celebration on Sunday that he "pledges" as prime minister that he will continue to develop the city. "The city was united, and will never be divided again," he insisted.
"Talking about negotiations with the Israeli occupation is like chasing a mirage" said Abu Zuhri. He called on the Palestinian politicians who endorse talks with the occupying power to admit that they have failed as an option, and align themselves with the national consensus and resist the occupation.
Netanyahu told the audience at a "Jerusalem Day" celebration on Sunday that he "pledges" as prime minister that he will continue to develop the city. "The city was united, and will never be divided again," he insisted.
In the presence of State Secretary of Sweden, Ulrika Modéer, the Consul General of Sweden, Ann-Sofie Nilsson, and UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, Frode Mauring, signed a USD 3.6 million agreement (SEK 30 million) to support the resilience of Palestinians residing in Area C and east Jerusalem.
The signing ceremony marks the third phase of the Community Resilience and Development Program (CRDP) implemented by UNDP, with funds from the Governments of Sweden, Austria, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Accompanied by Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, State Secretary of Sweden, Ulrika Modéer, visited the Bedouin community of Maghayer Ad-Dier, where she was briefed on CRDP’s interventions and the threat of forcible transfer of Palestinian Bedouin communities.
"I'm deeply worried about the situation. There is a responsibility to support the rights and basic needs of Palestinians living in Area C and East Jerusalem," said Ulrika Modéer, Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation. "With support, they - not the least the Bedouin communities - will be better equipped to stay, meet the challenges ahead and make better use of the resources in the area."
“The potential development opportunities in Area C are immense,” said Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “UNDP, through this program, is supporting the resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinian people, improve their livelihoods and empower them to advance development in their communities, “he added.
The projects funded through the third round of CRDP are geared towards safeguarding livelihoods and empowering local communities in various marginalized localities in Area C and East Jerusalem.
The program will target a number of sectors including economic empowerment, public and social infrastructure, access to and protection of natural resources.
Sweden has been a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian people. In October last year, when the Swedish government recognized the State of Palestine, it also adopted a new five year strategy for development cooperation with the State of Palestine, increasing the support by 50%. Swedish support to the State of Palestine amounts to around USD 100 million yearly (development support and humanitarian).
The signing ceremony marks the third phase of the Community Resilience and Development Program (CRDP) implemented by UNDP, with funds from the Governments of Sweden, Austria, Norway and the United Kingdom.
Accompanied by Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator, State Secretary of Sweden, Ulrika Modéer, visited the Bedouin community of Maghayer Ad-Dier, where she was briefed on CRDP’s interventions and the threat of forcible transfer of Palestinian Bedouin communities.
"I'm deeply worried about the situation. There is a responsibility to support the rights and basic needs of Palestinians living in Area C and East Jerusalem," said Ulrika Modéer, Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation. "With support, they - not the least the Bedouin communities - will be better equipped to stay, meet the challenges ahead and make better use of the resources in the area."
“The potential development opportunities in Area C are immense,” said Frode Mauring, UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator. “UNDP, through this program, is supporting the resilience and steadfastness of the Palestinian people, improve their livelihoods and empower them to advance development in their communities, “he added.
The projects funded through the third round of CRDP are geared towards safeguarding livelihoods and empowering local communities in various marginalized localities in Area C and East Jerusalem.
The program will target a number of sectors including economic empowerment, public and social infrastructure, access to and protection of natural resources.
Sweden has been a long-standing supporter of the Palestinian people. In October last year, when the Swedish government recognized the State of Palestine, it also adopted a new five year strategy for development cooperation with the State of Palestine, increasing the support by 50%. Swedish support to the State of Palestine amounts to around USD 100 million yearly (development support and humanitarian).