RAMALLAH, January 27, 2016 (WAFA) – The comments made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moom criticizing key Israeli policies of settlement construction that cast doubt over Israel’s commitment to a two-state solution and that the upsurge of attacks against Israelis are motivated by Palestinian despair hit the front page headlines in Palestinian dailies.
Highlighting Ban’s comments in its main front page news article, al-Ayyam reported that the UN called for an Israeli settlement freeze and immediate action in order to prevent “the two-state solution from slipping away forever”.
Al-Ayyam quoted Ban as stating: Iit is human nature to react to occupation” and reported that his comments were welcomed by the Palestinian leadership, whereas they were vehemently condemned by Israel.
While Ban’s comments made it as the main front page news item in al-Ayyam, al-Quds opted to highlight that an Israeli soldier was injured following a car-ramming attack to the west of Ramallah. Al-Ayyam said two soldiers were injured in this attack.
Al-Quds also reported as part of the main front page news item that an Israeli settler woman succumbed to her wounds after being targeted in an attack carried out by two Palestinians on Monday in the illegal West Bank settlement of Beit Horon. This news item was covered in al-Ayyam.
Furthermore, al-Quds reported that Israeli authorities approved the construction of 153 new settler units and that Ban expressed his “profound concerns” over new Israeli settlement projects.
Al-Quds and al-Ayyam reported that Israel allocated millions of shekels to reinforce “security” of settlements in Jerusalem district.
They reported on Secretary-General of PLO Executive Committee Saeb Erekat as calling on the Middle East Quartet to pressure Israel to release the bodies of alleged Palestinians attackers still being held by the Israel.
Highlighting Palestinian cabinet’s weekly session, al-Quds reported that the cabinet decided to provide a million liters of additional fuel to the Gaza Strip’s main power plant following the recent wave of freezing weather conditions blanketing the territory.
Highlighting the situation of Palestinian hunger-striking journalist Muhammad al-Qiq, 33, whose 63-day strike has brought him to the brink of death, al-Ayyam reported that Palestinians held a rally in Ramallah in solidarity with him and that Israeli Supreme Court is scheduled to examine an appeal to release him on Wednesday.
K.F/M.H
