RAMALLAH, August 15, 2011 (WAFA) – The latest developments in Syria and the death of dozens at the hands of the Syrian forces dominated the top front page headlines of two of Monday’s Arabic dailies.

The main headline in Al-Hayat Al-Jadida had to do with Israeli statements regarding how to face the Palestinian drive for recognition in September, which was also reported in Al-Ayyam but not as a main headline.

President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Bosnia and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s statements about non-violent protests were also highlighted on the front pages.

Statements by Fatah Central Committee member Jamal Muheisen, in which he said that the Committee had fired its controversial member, Muhammad Dahlan, from its ranks, were also reported in the three dailies.

The papers also said Minister of Economy, Hasan Abu Libdeh, was being investigated on charges of corruption by the Anti-Corruption Authority headed by Rafik Natsheh.

They also reported on a protest in Ramallah in support of the Syrian people and against the regime.

The editorial in Al-Quds criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his opposition to the Palestinian UN bid. It said that, while Netanyahu accuses the Palestinians of not wanting to negotiate, he is “negotiating” through confiscation of Palestinian land and settlement expansion.

The paper said that the negotiations should not become a cover to the Israeli settlement expansion policy and no one should expect that negotiations can go forever without achieving results.

Writing an opinion in Al-Ayyam, Talal Okal said the crisis in Israel is more than just economic; it is based on its racist and apartheid policies. He said it was right for the Arabs not to get involved in the social protests in Israel because, if they did, Netanyahu would have claimed it was an Arab conspiracy against the Jewish state.

M.A./F.J.