RAMALLAH, Thursday, March 25, 2021 (WAFA) – Israel’s ongoing demolition of Palestinian homes under various pretexts but mainly construction without permit and other repressive measures, Palestinian government launching new development projects, and the latest with the coronavirus pandemic were highlighted on the front page of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies published today.
Al-Quds daily said in its top front-page headline that Israel demolished four homes in occupied East Jerusalem claiming the homes were built without a permit, shot and injured two youths in Bir Nabala, near Ramallah, before arresting them, razed land east of Bethlehem and refused to allow farmers to reclaim their land in Deir Nitham, also near Ramallah.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida daily said Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh launched yesterday a number of projects worth $2.8 million in the Jordan Valley as part of his government’s development plan for that area of the occupied West Bank.
The third daily, al-Ayyam, highlighted the latest with coronavirus and said in its main front-page story headline that the pandemic claimed 23 lives in Palestine yesterday as 2032 new cases were recorded. It also said 131 new cases were recorded in occupied East Jerusalem over two days. The other dailies highlighted the coronavirus cases as well.
Al-Ayyam said the Palestinian doctors’ union has decided to go on strike in protest against government failure in implementing an agreement reached between them.
The indecisive outcome of the Israeli elections was also highlighted on the front page of the Palestinian dailies with al-Ayyam saying that as a result of this indecisive outcome, the fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the hands of the Islamic list under Mansour Abbas.
Al-Quds said with the right-wing in Israel getting only 59 seats of the 120-seat Israeli parliament, two short of the required to form a government, the likely scenario is a fifth election.
On the Palestinian legislative elections planned for May 22, al-Quds said, based on what it described as “informed sources”, that the Islamic movement Hamas has decided to run with a list of people from the public service sectors who are well known in their communities but are part of the movement.
Al-Hayat al-Jadida quoted Foreign Minister Riyad Malki saying that the vote at the Human Rights Council was unanimous on two pro-Palestine resolutions.
It said the International Quartet discussed returning to meaningful negotiations that will lead to a two-state solution.
It said Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied territories and stressed its support for the Palestinian cause.
The paper also said the United Kingdom announced a contribution of £12.6 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees.
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