RAMALLAH, July 6, 2011 (WAFA) – The three Arabic dailies focused Wednesday on Israel’s decision to stop the release of 84 Palestinian bodies to the Palestinian Authority and the death of two Palestinians in an Israeli air raid on Gaza on Tuesday.
Al-Quds’ prime story reported that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued an order to stop the release of 84 Palestinian bodies which have been held by the Israeli government since 1967 and buried in unknown cemeteries in Israel, and to exclude the remains of 10 Palestinians from the release. Barak tied the release with the issue of captive Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
The paper printed a picture of Naema Awadallah, mother of two Palestinians who died in 1998 and whose bodies are kept in the numbered graves. Israel has refused to release their remains.
Al-Ayyam’s main headline read: “Two Palestinians killed, one injured in Israeli air raid east of Deir al-Balah in Gaza.” The story said Israel alleged that the two men, who belonged to a Salafi group, were preparing to launch a missile at Israel.
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida’s front page story reported on Russia’s full support of Palestinians to gain UN recognition of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders. The story also said that European leaders called on the European Union to recognize a Palestinian state if the Palestinian leadership goes to the UN.
The news piece featured that French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe Tuesday announced that France will organize a donors conference for the Palestinians in the first half of September, noting that it may turn to a peace conference.
Al-Quds and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida headlines reported on President Mahmoud Abbas’ commitment to seek UN recognition during his meeting with Robert Serry, the United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process.
The three dailies reported that the French ship “Dignity,” part of Freedom Flotilla II, set sail on Tuesday to Gaza, while the remaining Flotilla ships remain trapped in Athens, banned from sailing by the Greek authorities.
News on the situation in Syria made it to the front pages as well.
An op-ed by Ashraf al-Ajramy in Al-Ayyam tackled the issue of Israel’s refusal to release remains of Palestinians, calling it “Israel’s pathological behavior.” Al-Ajramy also criticized the hasty Palestinian announcement of the agreement and of a commemorative ceremony before obtaining any guarantees from Israel.
On the same topic, an Al-Quds editorial headline read: “No credibility of Israeli government promises,” addressing the Israeli tendency to not honor its promises to the PA. The paper called for exposing the Israeli stalling policy to international public opinion.
R.Q./F.J.
