RAMALLAH, November 13, 2011 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies Sunday highlighted the suspension of Syria from the Arab League on Friday.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida’s prime headline on its front page reported that the Arab League voted on Friday to suspend Syria’s membership, which was met with international welcome. The decision was described as “illegal” by the Syrian regime.
A related article reported that pro-Bashar al-Assad protesters broke into and ransacked the Saudi embassy in Damascus, whereas others protested in front of the Qatari embassy after the Arab League’s decision was announced by Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassem al Thani.
Al-Ayyam daily said President Mahmoud Abbas will meet US Special Envoy for Middle East peace, David Hale, and the Russian Envoy for Peace, Sergei Vershinin, on Sunday in Ramallah, according to PLO Executive Committee Member, Saeb Erekat.
The newspaper added that the Palestinian leadership will discuss the report issued by the United Nations Security Council admission committee, which failed to agree on a position regarding the Palestinian application for statehood membership in the Council.
Al-Quds chose to highlight Abbas’ interview with Nesma Independent Tunisian TV before leaving the country after a visit that lasted three days, where he said that some sides continue their attempts to drop the olive branch that the late president Yassir Arafat raised in 1974.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported that the weekly average settler attacks resulting in Palestinian casualties and property damage have increased by 40% in 2011 compared to 2010, according to a report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Al-Quds editorial tackled the Arab League’s decision to suspend Syria, the headline reading “Arab League declares war on Syrian regime.” The paper called the Syrian regime to take serious actions and respond to the Arab initiative to end violence and stop the killing of Syrian civilians.
The editorial also addressed the Arab league, saying it still did not take a united position against the Israeli aggression and occupation of the Palestinian Territory, noting that Israel has ambassadors and relations with several Arab countries.
In addition, al-Quds also warned Palestinians in Gaza from falling into the Israeli trap to drag them to violence in order to justify the US stance against Palestinian peaceful actions like joining the UNESCO. The editorial called on Palestinian officials of all political factions to “see the big picture.”
R.Q./F.J.
