RAMALLAH, January 14, 2012 (WAFA) – Palestinian reports on a new exploratory meeting between Palestinians and Israelis with the Quartet representatives in Jordan on Saturday was the front page highlight of Saturday’s issue of the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam.
The papers quoted in an exclusive report Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh as saying that Saturday’s meeting in the Jordanian capital of Amman will be the one before last, stressing that these meetings are not negotiations as claimed by the United States and Israel.
The paper’s main headline quoted Abu Rudeineh as saying that the Quartet’s three month deadline to present proposals on border and security expires on January 26 remains a “crossroad” to reach common grounds to resume negotiations; otherwise the PA will consider further decisions.
Al-Quds daily highlighted the European Union’s report on Israeli policy to depopulate Area C of the West Bank of its Palestinian residents in order to block chances for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders.
It said the EU has decided to increase its support to the Palestinian residents in area C, which encompass 62% of the West Bank.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on Abbas’ meeting with delegations of Palestinian refugees from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, where he stressed that “good progress” has been made in achieving national reconciliation despite obstacles and objections by various parties.
The three dailies focused on the Israeli army assaults against participants in the weekly non-violent West Bank protests against settlements and the Apartheid Wall.
The newspapers also reported that Israeli settlers cut off and destroyed over 100 fully-grown olive trees near Salfit.
Al-Quds editorial featured the crossroad for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the Quartet’s deadline on January 26, and described it as a “significant date” that will be a pivotal moment in the political process.
The daily called for an urgent united Palestinian stance by implementing the reconciliation agreement.
R.Q./M.S..
