RAMALLAH, December 14, 2011 (WAFA) – The raising of the Palestinian flag at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Tuesday dominated Wednesday’s issues of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies.

Al-Quds, al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam dedicated their front pages to the historical moment of raising the flag at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, all three dailies printing pictures of the Palestinian flag being raised there in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas.

Al-Quds featured Abbas’ address to the UNESCO General Conference, where he said, “It is a historical and an emotional moment for me and my people to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.”

Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted Abbas’ meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the sub headline quoting Abbas saying “Sarkozy is serious in supporting the Palestinian state, pleased with internal reconciliation.”

Al-Ayyam featured on its front page reports that Israel intends to release the second group of prisoners on Sunday, within the Gilad Shalit prisoners swap deal with Hamas.

Al-Quds editorial praised the Palestinian historical and victorious moment when the Palestinian flag was raised at the UNESCO headquarters, despite intense opposition from the US to Palestinian membership in the UN body.

The daily also tackled the international silence on the Israeli measures to Judaize Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian Territory, criticizing the continuous condemnation of Israeli settlement activities internationally with a lack of action taken against Israel.

R.Q./F.J.