RAMALLAH, June 3, 2015 (WAFA) – The demolition of three Palestinian homes by Israeli forces in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan under the pretext of construction without permit and President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Jordan’s prince ‘Ali Ibn al-Hussein in Amman hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies.

Covering the demolition in its main front page news article, al-Quds reported that several homes and structures were demolished by Israeli forces in East Jerusalem and Jenin districts.

It added that forces handed stop-construction notices to Palestinians in the Bethlehem village of Um Salamonah and leveled land that belongs to a Palestinian family in the Nablus village of Qaryut.

It added that Israeli navy opened gunfire on Palestinian fishermen offshore Gaza, injuring three fishermen.

In contrast, al-Ayyam opted to highlight Palestinian national consensus government’s remarks marking its one year anniversary since its formation.

Government sources were quoted in al-Ayyam as stating: “Hindered by Hamas-posed obstacles, we have not able to perform our duties. Hamas-affiliated employees paralyze four ministries in Gaza.”

On the other hand, al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted Abbas’ visit to prince ‘Ali Ibn al-Hussein, the Chairman of the Jordan Football Association.   

Despite Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub’s remarks denying he has voted in favor of the re-elected but recently resigned FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Abbas visited Jordan’s prince in an attempt, according to some Palestinian officials, to overstep the recent disagreement over the FIFA presidency vote and prevent further repercussions.

Addressing ‘Ali, Abbas was quoted in al-Hayat al-Jadida as saying: “We will maintain our relation as one people living in two states.”

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam covered the same issue and reported on Abbas and ‘Ali as affirming that Palestinian-Jordanian relations are rock-solid.

Covering Palestinian football chief Jibril Rajoub’s remarks defending himself against allegations that he had voted for Blatter for FIFA presidency, al-Hayat al-Jadida reported on Rajoub as announcing that a national and legal sports committee will be formed to investigate what took place at the FIFA congress in Zurich.

He was reported as describing what took place in Zurich as “a historic and important milestone in the history of Palestinian sports.”

Al-Quds reported on Head of Detainees and Ex-detainees Committee ‘Issa Qaraqe‘ as calling on Hamas to include veteran Palestinian detainees, including sick, elderly and female detainees, in any future prisoners swap deal with Israel.

Deputy Arab League Secretary- General Ahmad Bin Hali was quoted in al-Quds and al-Ayyam as announcing that consultations are underway for the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution setting a deadline for the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territory.

US President Barack Obama was reported in al-Quds and al-Ayyam as stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position on the establishment of Palestinian state threatens to undermine Israel’s credibility.

Highlighting Israeli universities’ leaders’ concerns about academic boycott, al-Ayyam said they warned about the growing campaign to academically boycott Israel and described it as a ‘scientific and economic catastrophe.”

Al-Hayat al-Jadida and al-Ayyam said that the UK’s National Union of Students has joined the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS).

Finally, al-Ayyam reported that a ‘Jihadist’ or ‘Salafist’ gunman, identified as Yussef al-Hattar, was killed by Hamas security forces during a clash in the Gaza city neighborhood of Sheikh Radwan. The Palestinian cabinet reportedly condemned the killing.

K.F/M.H