RAMALLAH, September 7, 2011 (WAFA) – The three Arabic Palestinian dailies focused Wednesday on the escalating diplomatic crisis between Israel and Turkey, after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan announced the cutting of all military ties with Israel.
Al-Quds’ dominating headline featured Erdogan’s announcement of further sanctions against Israel along with his intention to visit Gaza during his pending visit to Egypt. The daily reported on the Israeli government’s wish to avoid further deterioration, and US worries over the crisis.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida’s front page story reported on President Mahmoud Abbas’ meeting with the Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, where they discussed Palestinian plans to seek United Nations membership of the State of Palestine. Abbas stressed the importance of the non-violent movement supporting the Palestinian bid.
Al-Ayyam newspaper chose to highlight Syria’s decision to postpone the Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby’s visit to Damascus, which was scheduled today, till further notice. The daily featured Arab news agencies’ reports that the reason behind the postponement is Elaraby’s meeting with a delegation of the Syrian opposition, in addition to the leaking of some terms of the Arab League initiative to the media.
Al-Quds printed a picture of the entrance of one of the Israeli tunnels built under Al-Aqsa compound in East Jerusalem. The newspaper reported on the construction of the 600-meter tunnel starting under Ein Silwan area in East Jerusalem to the southwestern corner of al-Aqsa compound, increasing threats of destruction of al-Aqsa mosque.
News on the death of a Palestinian in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip was featured on Al-Hayat Al-Jadida’s front page. The daily printed a picture of a man and his son receiving treatment after being injured in the airstrike.
The three dailies reported on Israeli preparations and call for public mobilization of the Israeli army and reserves to face the incidents expected by Israeli officials later this month, when the Palestinian Authority applies for full United Nations membership of a Palestinian state.
An Al-Quds editorial criticized the Israeli “needless” and “provocative” preparation measures for the Palestinian bid in September. The daily tackled Israeli plans to shoot at Palestinians demonstrating near settlements in the West Bank and to spread police dogs at settlements’ entrances, in an attempt to draw Palestinians into a twirl of violence despite Palestinian reiteration of using non-violent activity.
The editorial called the UN to recognize a Palestinian state and grant it full membership in response to the Israeli “useless” measures.
R.Q./F.J.
