RAMALLAH, May 20, 2014 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas’ abolishment of the reduced sentence for ‘honor killing’ crimes against women hit the headlines of the three Palestinian Arabic dailies on Tuesday. 

Below are the headlines of the three dailies:

Al-Quds:

-   Warning of the serious repercussions of the proposed “forced alimentation” Israeli law against the hunger striking Palestinian prisoners.

-   Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs, Issa Qaraqe, calls upon the pope and the EU to take action to rescue the hunger strikers.

-   President Abbas issues a decree cancelling reduced punishment in cases of femicide crimes.

-   Israeli settlers set fire to an olive field near Hebron.

-   Advisor of Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas leader in Gaza): presidential guards will be deployed at Rafah border crossing [following the formation of a new government].

-   Israeli forces demolish Bedouin homes near Jerusalem, and leave 40 people homeless.

-   Azzam al-Ahmad (Fatah official for reconciliation talks): national division is the worst to ever occur in history, and all Palestinians should be optimistic about reconciliation.

-   Netanyahu: we will legitimize the “Jewishness of State” law.

-   US official: we will recognize the Palestinian national unity government.

Al-Ayyam:

-   President Abbas issues a decree cancelling reduced punishment in cases of crimes on honor killing grounds.

-   US official: the US will cooperate with the Palestinian national unity government.

-   Tzipi Livni, Israeli Minister of Justice, calls for resuming negotiations: it is not good to boycott the other side.

-   Palestine is fully ready to receive the pope.

-   Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Maliki: Venezuelan petroleum is to be supplied to Palestine this year.

-   Israeli forces demolish Palestinian-owned structures near Jerusalem.

-   Sheikh Raid Salah, [leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel], fined US$2600 by an Israeli court.

-   Bomb explosion targets Fatah official in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon.

-   Resident injured by Israeli fire near Gaza.

-    President Abbas receives a list of figures proposed for forming the national unity government.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida:

-   President Abbas issues a decree cancelling reduced punishment in cases of “honor killing crimes.”

-   New slap to Netanyahu: US official says Washington will recognize the Palestinian national unity government.

-   Tzipi Livni (Israeli Minister of Justice): we cannot ignore the Palestinians ... peace is in the favor of Israel.

-   Supreme Court of Israel will hear the appeal of Rachel Corrie family on Wednesday.

-   Palestine is getting prepared for the papal visit.

-   Knesset will elect a new president for Israel next June.

-   Israeli forces demolish a building in E1 area and in the village of Issawiya, as well as destroy a power network in Ithna, near Hebron.

-   120 Palestinian prisoners will join the hunger strikers on Wednesday.

M.N./T.R.