29 sept 2013
Stranded travelers tried to storm through the gates of Gaza's Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border on Sunday to protest delays at the terminal.
Travelers including students denounced Egypt's closure of the crossing and demanded that they be allowed to travel in order to reach their destinations throughout the world.
The Gaza ministry of interior said around 5,000 people were stranded on the Palestinian side.
Egyptian authorities partially reopened the Rafah crossing on Sunday for the second day in a row to allow humanitarian cases to cross. Some 370 people managed to cross.
On Saturday, over 300 people used the Rafah crossing after Egypt reopened the terminal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Egyptian director of the Rafah terminal Sami Mitwali told Ma'an that the crossing will be opened again on Monday. On Wednesday it will be opened for Muslim residents of the Gaza Strip going on pilgrimage to Mecca.
There have been frequent closures of the Rafah terminal in recent weeks due to political unrest in Egypt and violence in the Sinai peninsula.
After the July coup, which deposed president Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's army has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed hundreds of tunnels that Hamas used for years to import fuel, building materials and other goods.
The Rafah crossing has been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.8 million residents and the outside world since the destruction of Gaza's international airport in 2001 and the subsequent air and naval blockade.
Travelers including students denounced Egypt's closure of the crossing and demanded that they be allowed to travel in order to reach their destinations throughout the world.
The Gaza ministry of interior said around 5,000 people were stranded on the Palestinian side.
Egyptian authorities partially reopened the Rafah crossing on Sunday for the second day in a row to allow humanitarian cases to cross. Some 370 people managed to cross.
On Saturday, over 300 people used the Rafah crossing after Egypt reopened the terminal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Egyptian director of the Rafah terminal Sami Mitwali told Ma'an that the crossing will be opened again on Monday. On Wednesday it will be opened for Muslim residents of the Gaza Strip going on pilgrimage to Mecca.
There have been frequent closures of the Rafah terminal in recent weeks due to political unrest in Egypt and violence in the Sinai peninsula.
After the July coup, which deposed president Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's army has repeatedly closed the Rafah border crossing and destroyed hundreds of tunnels that Hamas used for years to import fuel, building materials and other goods.
The Rafah crossing has been the principal connection between Gaza's 1.8 million residents and the outside world since the destruction of Gaza's international airport in 2001 and the subsequent air and naval blockade.
The Egyptian authorities reopened the Rafah crossing on Sunday morning following a closure on Saturday due to malfunctioned computer system. Ministry of Interior in Gaza said Egypt opened the crossing yeaterday to one bus, out of six, loaded with 60 passengers, while 112 passengers arrived in Gaza through the crossing.
Egypt had informed the Gaza Crossings Administion that it would open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The crossing was closed Friday after being opened for two days to a small number of passengers.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing partial openings since the military-backed deposition of President Mohamed Morsi.
Suffering of thousands of the stranded at both sides of crossing is increasing with a one-day-old Palestinian infant died at the Egyptian side on Saturday.
Egypt had informed the Gaza Crossings Administion that it would open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The crossing was closed Friday after being opened for two days to a small number of passengers.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing partial openings since the military-backed deposition of President Mohamed Morsi.
Suffering of thousands of the stranded at both sides of crossing is increasing with a one-day-old Palestinian infant died at the Egyptian side on Saturday.
The Palestinian government appealed to the Egyptian authorities to take into account the conditions of the besieged people in the Gaza Strip and open the Rafah crossing. Kamel Abu Madi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, in a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at the Rafah crossing called for opening the Rafah crossing in both directions.
He stressed that the number of departures has dramatically decreased this year, aggravating the humanitarian situation inside the Strip, and noted that the crossing has been open for six days only since the beginning of this month.
Abu Madi warned of the serious repercussions of the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on the lives of the Palestinians.
He reported that the number of trapped travelers reached 4500 after closing the door of registration, pointing out that most of them are patients, students and people working abroad.
Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry added that the Egyptian side on Sunday received three buses carrying only two hundred people, while 5 thousand humanitarian cases were not allowed to cross the crossing.
The Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing before patients, students and humanitarian cases for few days during this month, while they still prevent thousands of citizens from traveling.
He stressed that the number of departures has dramatically decreased this year, aggravating the humanitarian situation inside the Strip, and noted that the crossing has been open for six days only since the beginning of this month.
Abu Madi warned of the serious repercussions of the continued closure of the Rafah crossing on the lives of the Palestinians.
He reported that the number of trapped travelers reached 4500 after closing the door of registration, pointing out that most of them are patients, students and people working abroad.
Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry added that the Egyptian side on Sunday received three buses carrying only two hundred people, while 5 thousand humanitarian cases were not allowed to cross the crossing.
The Egyptian authorities opened the Rafah crossing before patients, students and humanitarian cases for few days during this month, while they still prevent thousands of citizens from traveling.
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The Egyptian authorities reopened Rafah crossing with the Gaza Strip temporarily for an hour on Saturday following an eight-day closure. Only one bus crossing into Egypt due to a claimed damage of computer network at the Egyptian side.
6,000 stranded, including 1500 students, disappointed after a glimmer of some hope shined when the Egyptian authorities announced they would open the crossing for three days this week. Among those awaiting on the border was Ahmed from Gaza. He is a student at a medicine faculty in an Egyptian universty. “ I came in the summer holiday to visit my family and now I am stuck here. |
The semester has begun since last week and I don’t know what to do. I will miss the semester if I do not gmore,” said Ahmed.
Not far away was sitting Om Al-abed,45, an Egyptian married to a Palestet through soon. She has come to Rafah for five times to no avail.
“ I want to visit my children whom I have not seen since last year, they study at Egyptian universities. In addition to that I want to have to medication which is not available in Gaza,” she said.
All of the stranded Palestinians appeal to Egypt to put an end for their suffering and open Rafah Crossing.
A one-day-old baby died on Saturday as his mother was not allowed to cross into Gaza and had to give his birth on Friday at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
Not far away was sitting Om Al-abed,45, an Egyptian married to a Palestet through soon. She has come to Rafah for five times to no avail.
“ I want to visit my children whom I have not seen since last year, they study at Egyptian universities. In addition to that I want to have to medication which is not available in Gaza,” she said.
All of the stranded Palestinians appeal to Egypt to put an end for their suffering and open Rafah Crossing.
A one-day-old baby died on Saturday as his mother was not allowed to cross into Gaza and had to give his birth on Friday at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
Israeli forces on Sunday blocked the entrances to Yabad, a Palestinian village in the northern West Bank district of Jenin, and set up military checkpoints, locals said.
Israeli forces raided the village early Sunday from 5 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. and fired multiple sounds bombs. They subsequently razed olive orchards around the village.
Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering or leaving the village, and seized several vehicles that attempted to leave or enter the village through alternative means, witnesses said.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces blocked the eastern entrance of Yabad and set up a military checkpoint, leaving no way in or out.
The western entrance to the village has been closed since August.
Locals noted that Israeli forces seized vehicles of individuals that had tried to pass on alternative roads through Wad Hassan near the village, and interrogated a number of them.
Israeli soldiers claimed that a number of Palestinian youths threw stones along the main road adjacent to the village targeting the neighboring Israeli settlement of Mevo Dotan.
Palestinian farmers and owners of the coal workshops who live near the main road confirmed that the situation had been calm Saturday night and until early on Sunday morning, and that they had not seen any people throwing stones at the time.
Locals also suggested that Israeli forces had fabricated the story of stone-throwers as a pretext to fully close the village.
Israeli forces raided the village early Sunday from 5 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. and fired multiple sounds bombs. They subsequently razed olive orchards around the village.
Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from entering or leaving the village, and seized several vehicles that attempted to leave or enter the village through alternative means, witnesses said.
Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces blocked the eastern entrance of Yabad and set up a military checkpoint, leaving no way in or out.
The western entrance to the village has been closed since August.
Locals noted that Israeli forces seized vehicles of individuals that had tried to pass on alternative roads through Wad Hassan near the village, and interrogated a number of them.
Israeli soldiers claimed that a number of Palestinian youths threw stones along the main road adjacent to the village targeting the neighboring Israeli settlement of Mevo Dotan.
Palestinian farmers and owners of the coal workshops who live near the main road confirmed that the situation had been calm Saturday night and until early on Sunday morning, and that they had not seen any people throwing stones at the time.
Locals also suggested that Israeli forces had fabricated the story of stone-throwers as a pretext to fully close the village.
28 sept 2013
The Cremisan Valley in Beit Jala is under threat from construction of Israel's separation wall.
The European Union on Friday expressed concern about the ongoing construction of Israel's separation wall in the Bethlehem area.
"The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah are concerned by the construction of the Separation Barrier, east of the Green Line, in the Cremisan Valley (Beit Jala)," a statement read.
"When completed along the planned route, the barrier will separate 58 families from their agricultural land and children from their school at the Salesian convent, as well as affect the religious site of the Cremisan Monastery."
In 2004, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to stop construction of the separation wall within the occupied West Bank.
When completed, 85 percent of the wall will run inside the West Bank.
The European Union on Friday expressed concern about the ongoing construction of Israel's separation wall in the Bethlehem area.
"The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah are concerned by the construction of the Separation Barrier, east of the Green Line, in the Cremisan Valley (Beit Jala)," a statement read.
"When completed along the planned route, the barrier will separate 58 families from their agricultural land and children from their school at the Salesian convent, as well as affect the religious site of the Cremisan Monastery."
In 2004, the International Court of Justice called on Israel to stop construction of the separation wall within the occupied West Bank.
When completed, 85 percent of the wall will run inside the West Bank.
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Rafah crossing keeps Palestinians caged at both sides
Newborn baby died Saturday after he made his way to life Friday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. Ministry of Interior reported medial resources as saying that Mohamed al- Mashharawi was born Friday at night at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing after his mother waited long without being allowed to cross into the Gaza Strip. "The child’s mother Iman Mashharawi coming from Algeria on a visit to Gaza was had to pass the night at the Egyptian crossing’s cafeteria before giving birth to Mohammed on Saturday," the sources said. |
Palestinian citizen al-Mashharawi gave her child in late at Friday’s night who died this morning at the crossing.
Up to the moment, one bus, three ambulances, and a number of Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinators for ‘pilgrimage to Mecca’ season have been allowed in the Egyptian territories.
The crossing should have been open today, Saturday, for those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and for stuck students.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said, citing the Egyptian authorities.
Up to the moment, one bus, three ambulances, and a number of Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinators for ‘pilgrimage to Mecca’ season have been allowed in the Egyptian territories.
The crossing should have been open today, Saturday, for those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and for stuck students.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said, citing the Egyptian authorities.
Malfunction in computer network at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing disrupted operation, Director General of Border Crossings in Gaza said citing the Egyptian authorities. One busload, carrying 50 Palestinian passengers, has just made its way to the Egyptian territories before the crossing has been closed again to Palestinians
On Saturday morning, the crossing was opened after closure lasted for eight days.
General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in an earlier statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
On Saturday morning, the crossing was opened after closure lasted for eight days.
General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in an earlier statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Dozens of Palestinian youths on Tuesday smashed a hole in Israel's separation wall in Abu Dis, near Jerusalem, locals said.
The youths managed to open a 60-cm hole in the wall separating the village from Jerusalem, before Israeli forces arrived at the scene and fired tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber coated steel bullets to disperse the Palestinians, witnesses said.
Fatah leader in Abu Dis Anwar Bader told Ma'an that demonstrations were held in al-Eizariya and Abu Dis in solidarity against Israeli violations in Jerusalem.
The demonstrations turned into clashes when Palestinians threw rocks and empty bottles and closed the roads with burning tires, he added.
Demonstrations in solidarity with Jerusalem have taken place across the Palestinian territories after Israel repeatedly limited Palestinian access to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque over the past weeks.
The al-Aqsa compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood.
The youths managed to open a 60-cm hole in the wall separating the village from Jerusalem, before Israeli forces arrived at the scene and fired tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber coated steel bullets to disperse the Palestinians, witnesses said.
Fatah leader in Abu Dis Anwar Bader told Ma'an that demonstrations were held in al-Eizariya and Abu Dis in solidarity against Israeli violations in Jerusalem.
The demonstrations turned into clashes when Palestinians threw rocks and empty bottles and closed the roads with burning tires, he added.
Demonstrations in solidarity with Jerusalem have taken place across the Palestinian territories after Israel repeatedly limited Palestinian access to Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque over the past weeks.
The al-Aqsa compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood.
Haniyeh meeting Marzouki earlier in a visit to Tunisia
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh praised Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki’s remarks at the General Assembly of the United Nations demanding to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh said Saturday in a statement to ALRAY that “this position reflects the goodness of the Tunisian president and people.
Marzouki had demanded on Thursday evening, in his speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Egyptian authorities to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip "I hope the Egyptian authorities remove all restrictions on the movement of persons and goods choking Gaza."
Marzouki added that "this struggling zone [Gaza Strip] has suffered enough; the Palestinian people have suffered enough from Israeli occupation and [the West Bank] settlements."
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh praised Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki’s remarks at the General Assembly of the United Nations demanding to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh said Saturday in a statement to ALRAY that “this position reflects the goodness of the Tunisian president and people.
Marzouki had demanded on Thursday evening, in his speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Egyptian authorities to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip "I hope the Egyptian authorities remove all restrictions on the movement of persons and goods choking Gaza."
Marzouki added that "this struggling zone [Gaza Strip] has suffered enough; the Palestinian people have suffered enough from Israeli occupation and [the West Bank] settlements."
Egyptian authorities reopened the Rafah crossing on Saturday, after a closure lasted for eight days. General Administration of Border Crossings said Saturday in a statement to ALRAY “the crossing will be open to those booked to travel on the 8th, and 9th of September, as well as those turned back in the past openings of the crossing, and stuck students,”
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian authorities open Rafah crossing for certain categories
Egypt had informed the Palestinian government will open the crossing Saturday, Sunday and Monday for students, persons with residence permits and humanitarian cases.
The Rafah border crossing has been witnessing only partial openings for the Gaza Strip travel seekers since the military-backed overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Egyptian authorities open Rafah crossing for certain categories
27 sept 2013
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) considered that the Israeli limited facilities would not ease the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since seven years. Israeli media sources declared earlier the Israeli intention to allow construction material for private projects into the Gaza Strip on Sunday for the first time in six years. The sources said that 350 truckloads a week of gravel, cement and steel would be delivered to Gaza.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights confirmed that these "facilities" came to beautify the siege.
PCHR called on the international community to pressure the Israeli authorities to remove the unfair siege on Gaza permanently as it constitutes a collective punishment that violates international laws.
The center pointed out that the recent Israeli decision will not end the Palestinian people's plight where it will not allow the entry of the strip's humanitarian and basic needs especially the raw materials needed for construction projects. It will not also include exporting the strip products.
The center stated that although the limited facilities the Israeli authorities continue to violate the international laws particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention related to the protection of the civilians at time of war.
The Israeli authorities' decision to allow specific goods to enter into the besieged strip while continue to prevent other products would not ease the plight of the Palestinian people living in Gaza, the human rights center explained.
PCHR confirmed that ending the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza could not be achieved only by removing the Israeli siege completely and permanently.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights confirmed that these "facilities" came to beautify the siege.
PCHR called on the international community to pressure the Israeli authorities to remove the unfair siege on Gaza permanently as it constitutes a collective punishment that violates international laws.
The center pointed out that the recent Israeli decision will not end the Palestinian people's plight where it will not allow the entry of the strip's humanitarian and basic needs especially the raw materials needed for construction projects. It will not also include exporting the strip products.
The center stated that although the limited facilities the Israeli authorities continue to violate the international laws particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention related to the protection of the civilians at time of war.
The Israeli authorities' decision to allow specific goods to enter into the besieged strip while continue to prevent other products would not ease the plight of the Palestinian people living in Gaza, the human rights center explained.
PCHR confirmed that ending the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza could not be achieved only by removing the Israeli siege completely and permanently.
26 sept 2013
Egypt pledged to provide travel facilities for Palestinian pilgrims from the Gaza Strip heading to perform Haj in Saudi Arabia next month. The Egyptian intelligence undersecretary asserted to Gaza premier Ismail Haneyya in a telephone contact on Wednesday night that Egypt would exert efforts to alleviate suffering of the Strip’s population.
A spokesman for the government said in a statement that the Egyptian official affirmed to Haneyya that the Rafah border terminal would open for Palestinians for three days next week starting Saturday.
The official also vowed to facilitate travel of Palestinian pilgrims that would start on October 2nd via the Rafah crossing.
A spokesman for the government said in a statement that the Egyptian official affirmed to Haneyya that the Rafah border terminal would open for Palestinians for three days next week starting Saturday.
The official also vowed to facilitate travel of Palestinian pilgrims that would start on October 2nd via the Rafah crossing.
Israel claimed Wednesday that it is easing some restrictions on the impoverished Gaza Strip and West Bank as it negotiates a final peace deal with the Palestinians. Israeli minister of international relations Yuval Steinitz revealed that 5,000 new work permits were being issued for Palestinians to work in Israel, the opening hours of the key Allenby Bridge crossing would be extended, and new imports of some building materials would be allowed into Gaza.
"We have an interest in a strong, viable, prosperous Palestinian economy," Steinitz told reporters after a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
"A better economic climate might help to create a better political climate," he added.
"And a strong Palestinian economy is good for Israel, it's good for our economy, it's good for the general atmosphere."
He was speaking after ministers from the Middle East Ad Hoc Liaison committee met for some three hours to discuss progress in the talks so far.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was planning to step up efforts to help reach an elusive Middle East peace deal, having set an ambitious goal of sealing an agreement within nine months.
He revealed for the first time that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have now met directly seven times since the peace talks were relaunched in late July aiming to create two states, one Israeli and one Palestinian, living side-by-side.
"All of the issues are on the table, territories, security, refugees, Jerusalem, all of the final status issues are on the table," Kerry stressed.
US special envoy Martin Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel who was appointed in July to shepherd the negotiations, has taken part in some of the seven rounds of talks so far.
"We've agreed now in the last week ... to intensify these talks and we've agreed that the American participation should be increased somewhat in order to try to facilitate them," Kerry added, without elaborating.
Steinitz revealed that the Al-Karameh|(Allenby) Bridge, a border checkpoint near the West Bank town of Jericho which is the only point of access to Jordan for Arab residents and businesses in the West Bank, would soon be operating five days a week round-the-clock.
Israel has implemented the delivery of an extra 4 million cubic meters of water a year into the West Bank and was about to do the same with five million cubic meters into Gaza in the coming weeks.
"We have facilitated the import of building materials into the Gaza Strip," Steinitz added, saying the first phase of allowing cellular equipment into Gaza would also happen in the next few weeks.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon earlier called on all donors to step up efforts to help the slowing Palestinian economy saying "the situation is volatile and the status quo is not sustainable. In the long term it is damaging to both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, chairing the committee meeting, warned the Palestinian deficit had been budgeted to be around $1.1 billion in 2013, but was more likely to be around $1.46 billion.
"This shortfall is adding $350 million to the already high levels of arrears and debts," Eide warned. "As donors we must do our utmost to reverse this trend and make the Palestinian economy sustainable."
The two sides have agreed to keep negotiating for some nine months, with the hope of having a deal at the end of it, some time towards late April or early May.
"Some people say it's too short a time to work it out. I don't think so," Kerry said.
"The fact is the two sides have been negotiating this for years ... What this really needs, there's no secret about it ... is a dose of courage and a reasonable level of compromise."
"We have an interest in a strong, viable, prosperous Palestinian economy," Steinitz told reporters after a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
"A better economic climate might help to create a better political climate," he added.
"And a strong Palestinian economy is good for Israel, it's good for our economy, it's good for the general atmosphere."
He was speaking after ministers from the Middle East Ad Hoc Liaison committee met for some three hours to discuss progress in the talks so far.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington was planning to step up efforts to help reach an elusive Middle East peace deal, having set an ambitious goal of sealing an agreement within nine months.
He revealed for the first time that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have now met directly seven times since the peace talks were relaunched in late July aiming to create two states, one Israeli and one Palestinian, living side-by-side.
"All of the issues are on the table, territories, security, refugees, Jerusalem, all of the final status issues are on the table," Kerry stressed.
US special envoy Martin Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel who was appointed in July to shepherd the negotiations, has taken part in some of the seven rounds of talks so far.
"We've agreed now in the last week ... to intensify these talks and we've agreed that the American participation should be increased somewhat in order to try to facilitate them," Kerry added, without elaborating.
Steinitz revealed that the Al-Karameh|(Allenby) Bridge, a border checkpoint near the West Bank town of Jericho which is the only point of access to Jordan for Arab residents and businesses in the West Bank, would soon be operating five days a week round-the-clock.
Israel has implemented the delivery of an extra 4 million cubic meters of water a year into the West Bank and was about to do the same with five million cubic meters into Gaza in the coming weeks.
"We have facilitated the import of building materials into the Gaza Strip," Steinitz added, saying the first phase of allowing cellular equipment into Gaza would also happen in the next few weeks.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon earlier called on all donors to step up efforts to help the slowing Palestinian economy saying "the situation is volatile and the status quo is not sustainable. In the long term it is damaging to both the Israelis and the Palestinians.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, chairing the committee meeting, warned the Palestinian deficit had been budgeted to be around $1.1 billion in 2013, but was more likely to be around $1.46 billion.
"This shortfall is adding $350 million to the already high levels of arrears and debts," Eide warned. "As donors we must do our utmost to reverse this trend and make the Palestinian economy sustainable."
The two sides have agreed to keep negotiating for some nine months, with the hope of having a deal at the end of it, some time towards late April or early May.
"Some people say it's too short a time to work it out. I don't think so," Kerry said.
"The fact is the two sides have been negotiating this for years ... What this really needs, there's no secret about it ... is a dose of courage and a reasonable level of compromise."
1000 patients suffering from critical diseases deprived of entering Egypt to receive urgent treatment in specialized Egyptian hospitals due to the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, According to Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. The center said in a statement on Wednesday the siege and the closure threatened thousands of workers to lose their work and stay in the countries they reside and many students will lose their scholarships .
He pointed out that escalating the siege especially after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing caused fuel crisis as the quantities enter Gaza through Kerm Shalom crossing are limited.
He explained that the lack of fuel affected several services including the first aid, ambulances, public transportation and sanitation. The water supplies declined to 40% according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .
“The blockade affected the health services seriously. According to the Ministry of Health, the pharmaceutical stocks which were entering through the Rafah crossing officially fell to 30%.” The statement said.
About 145 of 500 medicine types ran out and 100 kinds are about to run out in the coming days.7
The center indicated that a humanitarian crisis will be as a result of the escalation of the blockade on the civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning the international community of the disastrous effects that could not be remedied if the blockade continues.
He pointed out that escalating the siege especially after the Egyptian authorities closed the Rafah crossing caused fuel crisis as the quantities enter Gaza through Kerm Shalom crossing are limited.
He explained that the lack of fuel affected several services including the first aid, ambulances, public transportation and sanitation. The water supplies declined to 40% according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .
“The blockade affected the health services seriously. According to the Ministry of Health, the pharmaceutical stocks which were entering through the Rafah crossing officially fell to 30%.” The statement said.
About 145 of 500 medicine types ran out and 100 kinds are about to run out in the coming days.7
The center indicated that a humanitarian crisis will be as a result of the escalation of the blockade on the civilians in the Gaza Strip, warning the international community of the disastrous effects that could not be remedied if the blockade continues.
Israeli security officials at the King Hussein (Allenby) bridge turned back an American peace volunteer who is part of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron twice in the past week.
Jonathan Brenneman, 25, from St. Marys Ohio was turned back September 25th after a five hour wait at the border crossing. He had been denied entry for the second time. Earlier on September 17th he was denied entry on the justification that he didn't provide an invitation letter. Unable to apply for a visa at the Israeli embassy in Amman which has been closed for the Jewish holidays, he brought the invitation letter in his second visit as well as testimonials from Israelis only to be turned back. Brenneman has filed a report with the US embassy in Amman. His congressman, senator and US state department officials were also contacted.
Blogging about his experience, Brenneman said the Israeli soldier told him the second time that the reason for his denial was because Christian Peacemaker Teams is not a recognized organization. "I told the soldier that we legally do not need to be recognized by Israel, and I asked why that was a reason for not letting me in. He said his commander said I couldn't come in for that reason, and that was the end of the conversation."
Brenneman said that he was surprised at the denial of entry of a person coming for peace and at a time of peace talks. "I question why the Israeli authorities see people working for a well established 'violence reduction program' as a threat."
In his blog about the first entry denial Brenneman writes that an Israeli soldier trying to be friendly asked if Brenneman is a Jewish name.
In recent months Israeli border security have denied two other CPTers (one American and one from Holland) from crossing. This is the first time that Israeli officials have explicitly stated that Americans were denied entry because they are connected with the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The Christian Peacemaker Teams made up mostly of peace churches (Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers) has been working in Hebron for 19 years. It is an international non-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois and a member of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) in the occupied Palestinian Territories. It has partnered with the United Nations and Save the Children UK.
The mission of the Christian Peacemaker Teams is simple, Brenneman says. It is to support peacemaking efforts in conflict zones. "We support both Palestinian and Israeli non-violent grass roots peacemaking groups. We accompany children to school, helping ensure they are not attacked on their way to get an education."
This article was originally publsihed at The Huffington Post
Jonathan Brenneman, 25, from St. Marys Ohio was turned back September 25th after a five hour wait at the border crossing. He had been denied entry for the second time. Earlier on September 17th he was denied entry on the justification that he didn't provide an invitation letter. Unable to apply for a visa at the Israeli embassy in Amman which has been closed for the Jewish holidays, he brought the invitation letter in his second visit as well as testimonials from Israelis only to be turned back. Brenneman has filed a report with the US embassy in Amman. His congressman, senator and US state department officials were also contacted.
Blogging about his experience, Brenneman said the Israeli soldier told him the second time that the reason for his denial was because Christian Peacemaker Teams is not a recognized organization. "I told the soldier that we legally do not need to be recognized by Israel, and I asked why that was a reason for not letting me in. He said his commander said I couldn't come in for that reason, and that was the end of the conversation."
Brenneman said that he was surprised at the denial of entry of a person coming for peace and at a time of peace talks. "I question why the Israeli authorities see people working for a well established 'violence reduction program' as a threat."
In his blog about the first entry denial Brenneman writes that an Israeli soldier trying to be friendly asked if Brenneman is a Jewish name.
In recent months Israeli border security have denied two other CPTers (one American and one from Holland) from crossing. This is the first time that Israeli officials have explicitly stated that Americans were denied entry because they are connected with the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The Christian Peacemaker Teams made up mostly of peace churches (Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers) has been working in Hebron for 19 years. It is an international non-profit organization registered in the State of Illinois and a member of the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) in the occupied Palestinian Territories. It has partnered with the United Nations and Save the Children UK.
The mission of the Christian Peacemaker Teams is simple, Brenneman says. It is to support peacemaking efforts in conflict zones. "We support both Palestinian and Israeli non-violent grass roots peacemaking groups. We accompany children to school, helping ensure they are not attacked on their way to get an education."
This article was originally publsihed at The Huffington Post
