RAMALLAH, January 24, 2012 (WAFA) – The three Palestinian Arabic dailies Tuesday focused on the Israeli arrest of two Hamas officials, including one Palestinian parliament member, in Jerusalem.

Al-Ayyam reported on its front page that Israeli special forces raided on Monday the International Red Cross office in East Jerusalem and arrested lawmaker, Mohammad Totah, and former minister of Jerusalem affairs in the Hamas government, Khaled Abu Arafeh.

The daily printed a picture of a Red Cross employee standing in front of a big poster that said “Do not empty Jerusalem of its people,” above pictures of four arrested and expelled Palestinians lawmakers, meanwhile al-Hayat al-Jadida featured a picture of Palestinians clashing with Israeli policemen in the Red Cross office.

Al-Quds highlighted the European Union foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Monday, during which they described Israel’s building of settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory as “worrying developments,” as well as stressed their support of the Quartet’s efforts and Arab peace initiative.

The daily reported that the EU appointed Andreas Reinicke as EU Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida quoted a senior Palestinian official saying that the Palestinian leadership is determined to end the exploratory meetings with Israel under the Quartet supervision in January 26, the deadline previously set by the Quartet.

 Al-Ayyam featured President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech during his Honorary Doctorate Ceremony at the Chuvash Ulyanov State University in Russia, during which he called on the international Quartet to make further efforts to implement the Road Map.

Al-Quds editorial slammed the Israeli “provocative” arrest of two Hamas officials from the Red Cross office in Jerusalem,  violating the international law. The daily called on the Palestinian Authority to take the issue of the arrested lawmakers and officials to the international community .

R.Q./F.R.