RAMALLAH, April 16, 2012 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Arabic daily, al-Ayyam, Monday highlighted on its front page an exclusive interview with President Mahmoud Abbas during which he stressed that dismantling the Palestinian Authority is out of question and that the Palestinians’ only option is the two-state solution.
The daily, whose correspondent is travelling with Abbas on his Asian tour and who did the interview on the plane between Tokyo and Bangkok, wrote that Abbas said that even though there are many factors contributing to weakening the PA, dismantling it is out of the question.
Abbas also downplayed calls to end security coordination with Israel, saying that the security he is seeking is security for the Palestinian people first and foremost.
Abbas also said that a cabinet reshuffle will take place soon, praising as well his relation with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal describing it as “excellent.”
The main news story dominating the front page of all three dailies was Israel preventing international pro-Palestinian activists from entering Israel on their way to Bethlehem as part of the “Welcome to Palestine” campaign.
Featuring this item, al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli police arrested dozens of activists upon their arrival at Ben Gurion airport. Al-Quds reported that European airlines cancelled around 60% of flight bookings in response to requests made by Israel.
The dailies printed pictures of Israeli police arresting an activist in Ben Gurion airport, as well as pictures of activists demonstrating at European airports in protest against barring them from taking the flights to Tel Aviv.
Al-Ayyam and al-Quds dailies focused on the open-ended hunger strike hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are planning to start on Tuesday, the Palestinian Prisoner Day.
The papers also reported on a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem of Jordan’s minister of interior, who arrived on Saturday on an official visit to the Palestinian Territory. They also reported on Christian Orthodox celebrating Easter Sunday.
Al-Quds editorial, titled “Israel opposes voice of freedom and justice,” slammed the Israeli measures against activists participating in “Welcome to Palestine” campaign, and wondered if the western governments of these activists will dare criticize Israel, adding that this is a new chance for Europe to reconsider its positions from Israel after it insulted their citizens.
R.Q./M.S.
