RAMALLAH, Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (WAFA) – The Israeli settlement activities and measures in the occupied Palestinian territories were highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today.
The main front-page stories in al-Quds daily highlighted the settlement activities. One headline said David Friedman ends his duties as US ambassador to Israel by declaring US recognition of the Israeli settlement project called City of David in Jerusalem. It said Friedman, a staunch supporter of Israel’s illegal settlement activities, issued a statement in this regard on behalf of the US embassy in Israel two days before leaving his post.
The paper said in the other main front-page story that Israel plans to build bypass roads, a bridge and a tunnel at the expense of lands in Qalandia, Kufr Aqab, Mikhmas, and Jaba, all in the Jerusalem area, in order to link settlements together.
It said in another story that Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a Palestinian car near Jenin in the north of the West Bank, stopped and inspected it before allowing the driver to continue on his way.
Al-Ayyam said in its main front-page story that Israel detained 17 Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
It said that an Israeli settlement company has issued tenders for the construction of a new settlement east of Nablus in the north of the West Bank.
The paper also reported on the Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip.
The third Palestinian Arabic daily, al-Hayat al-Jadida, highlighted the Palestinian cabinet meeting and remarks by the prime minister, and, in another main story, quoted an international law instructor saying the amendments President Mahmoud Abbas introduced to the elections law are "a victory for the status of the state of Palestine." The paper quoted the Arab League’s Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, telling an online session of the United Nations Security Council that the two-state solution was sidelined by the main mediator in the peace process.
It also said the United Kingdom has called on Israel to immediately stop settlement activities.
Al-Ayyam quoted Nasser al-Qudwa, member of Fatah Central Committee, saying that a joint list between Fatah and Hamas for the legislative elections is undemocratic and politically not feasible.
The three papers also reported on the coronavirus pandemic as well as preparations in Washington for the inauguration of the US president tomorrow.
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