RAMALLAH, July 12, 2012 (WAFA) – A joint report by United Nations and non-governmental organizations documenting rise in settler violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the occupied territories was the focus of two of the Palestinian dailies published on Thursday.

The third, al-Ayyam, chose to focus on a finance ministry decision to pay public employees 60% of their June salary to resolve a chronic financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority which has so far delayed payment of salaries.

This issue was also highlighted on the front page of al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida.

The dailies also highlighted the visit by Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to Saudi Arabia, printing pictures of the King of Saudi Arabia and Morsi.

A meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and United States Assistance Secretary of State William Burns in Ramallah was also highlighted on the front page of the dailies, reporting on Abbas stressing to Burns that resumption of negotiation depends on Israel halting settlement activities in all the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem.

Al-Quds quoted Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad saying that there will be no meetings with Hamas before the latter allows the Central Elections Commission to resume work in Gaza.

The same paper also said that Abbas is expected to meet Morsi in Cairo on Wednesday following a tour that will start in Saudi Arabia then Italy, according to Palestinian officials.

Al-Ayyam quoted Muslim official as saying that an estimated 450 settlers and 300 Israeli soldiers in uniform tour al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem in a provocative manner and warned Muslims against the intention behind the rise in number of these tours and the new phenomena of soldiers also visiting the compound in full uniform.

M.S.