RAMALLAH, Thursday, November 19, 2020 (WAFA) – News about Israeli settlement activities, plans and policies have dominated the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today in the occupied territories.
The main front-page story headline in al-Quds daily said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the outgoing US administration of Donald Trump to allow the construction of 10,000 settlement housing units in the East Jerusalem airport area.
It also said in a sidebar story that an American delegation has paid a visit to an illegal Israeli settlement outpost in Wadi Hilweh area of Silwan neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem.
Al-Ayyam daily highlighted the demonstration near the illegal settlement of Psagot, built on al-Bireh land near Ramallah, against the planned visit by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the settlement.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida daily reported on United Nations and European Union diplomats denouncing the settlement activities and expressing concern regarding settlements and demolition of Palestinian buildings.
It said that 40 members of the US Congress have condemned the Israeli demolition and displacement policies against the Palestinians.
At the same time, reported al-Quds, Republican members of Congress have called for labelling products made in the illegal Israeli settlements as made in Israel.
The three papers reported on Israeli army raids and detention of Palestinians in various areas of the occupied territories. They said the Israeli intelligence has informed the Palestinian Authority’s Jerusalem governor, Fadi Hidmi, of its intention to restrict his movement.
Al-Ayyam said Israeli settlers placed a menorah, candlestick, for the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, on the roof of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
They also reported on the visit of the Bahraini foreign minister to Israel, a first for a senior Arab official, and his meeting with his Israeli and US counterparts.
Al-Quds said the two sides agreed to open embassies in their respective countries.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on the letters of congratulations President Mahmoud Abbas has received on the Declaration of Independence day that coincided on November 15.
It had a feature story about the first woman taxi driver in the Gaza Strip driving a cab only for women.
M.K.
