RAMALLAH, November 30, 2011 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies Wednesday focused on President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech delivered on his behalf in the United Nations at an event marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Prime headlines in al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported on Abbas’ speech, which was read by Palestine’s Permanent Observer, Riyad Mansour, in the UN office at New York, and quoted Abbas saying: “The Palestinian people are adherent to their land, and will stay on it.”
Al-Quds newspaper dedicated more than half of its front page to feature international commemorations of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The daily posted a picture of Palestinian and Lebanese protesters gathering in front of the UN headquarters in Beirut on this occasion.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida was the only newspaper to highlight the Israeli demolition of barracks that house 40 Bedouin family members and sheep pens in East Jerusalem. A picture of two men standing over the wreck of their residence was featured above the news.
Al-Ayyam highlighted Turkey’s reassurances that it is equipped to deal with any potential scenario as the Syrian government continues its violent crackdown on protesters, including setting up a buffer zone to contain any mass influx of refugees.
News in all three dailies featured the rockets that were fired from southern Lebanon on northern Israel for the first time since 2009 and the Israeli military response by shelling the area where the rockets were launched.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam reported on Iceland's parliament vote to recognize an independent state of Palestine within 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, quoting Foreign Minister Riyal Malki.
Al-Quds editorial stressed the importance of the Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections and described them as “a national entitlement and demand” that will end the Palestinian internal division. It praised Abbas’ announcement to hold the elections in May of 2012 and considered it a positive move.
The daily called all Palestinians and factions to adhere to democracy and the peaceful approach to hand over power through coordination and a national strategy to guarantee the higher interest of the Palestinian people.
R.Q./M.S.
